Novak Djokovic accused of breaking Australian Open rules with mystery bottle and lashes out at doubters

Novak Djokovic has been accused of breaking Australian Open rules over a mysterious white bottle and has severely beaten those who doubted his injuries.

The 35-year-old Serb is currently chasing a record-extending 10th Australian Open title, taking on Russian Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals on Wednesday after beating 22nd-seeded Alex de Minaur in straight sets in the fourth round.

Djokovic will claim his 22nd Major men’s singles title if he emerges victorious at Melbourne Park.

The world number 5 has so far lost just one set at this year’s Australian Open – and that was his second-round victory over France’s Enzo Couacaud – but Djokovic has been accused of cheating in that clash after a recent in the A-clip circulating on social media had gone viral showing him being handed a suspicious white bottle.

The video showed a member of Djokovic’s team handing the bottle to a tournament official, who then handed it to the Serb during a break in play. The tennis star was then spotted carefully reading a label on the bottle, leading to concerns that he had broken tournament rules while being coached during a match.

It’s not the first time Djokovic has been involved in a mysterious bottle controversy after a clip also went viral at the Paris Masters in November.

It showed a member of Djokovic’s team appearing to add something to a yellow plastic container that the 21-time grand prize winner later drank from during his semifinal. Djokovic’s team also tried desperately to shield their actions from the fans.

Djokovic was also spotted during the intervals at Wimbledon last year inhaling from a white bottle, which he later jokingly described as a ‘magic potion’.

However, despite intense fan speculation, the recent bottle controversy at the Australian Open is unlikely to have broken tournament rules.

At this year’s Australian Open, there are new coaching rules that allow coaching on the field, but only if the player and coach are on the same side of the field.

It also allows for signals and gestures when players are on the other side of the field. The legality of exchanging paper notes is unclear under the new rules, but given that Djokovic did it in front of TV cameras and an arena packed with thousands, it’s safe to assume his team is confident they did not break any rules. .

Djokovic, meanwhile, has dismissed claims that despite his impressive performance, he is faking or exaggerating his hamstring injury at the Australian Open.

Earlier in the tournament, Djokovic claimed his hamstring problem was “not good at all” and that it was “up to God” to help him.

Djokovic replied to his doubters: “I leave the doubting to these people – let them doubt.

“Only my injuries are questioned. If some other players get injured, they are the victims, but if it’s me, I pretend. It’s very interesting… I don’t feel like I have to prove anything to anyone .

“I have MRI, ultrasound and everything else from two years ago and now. Whether I publish this in my documentary or on social media depends on how I feel. Maybe I will, maybe not.

“I don’t care what people think and say right now.

“It’s fun, it’s interesting to see how the story continues around me, a story that is different from other players who have been through a similar situation.

“But I’m used to it and it gives me extra strength and motivation. I thank them for that.”