“No way Novak Djokovic his muscle to be back this fast” – Fans accuse Serb of ‘faking’ injury as he eyes comeback at Qatar Open…Read More

Novak Djokovic’s recent announcement of his near-full recovery from a hamstring injury has sparked skepticism among some fans, with accusations that he may have exaggerated the severity of his condition. The 37-year-old tennis star, who retired during his Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev due to a hamstring tear, is now preparing to compete in the Qatar Open from February 17-22, aiming for his 100th singles title.

This swift return to competition has led some to question the legitimacy of his injury. Critics have pointed to Djokovic’s history of displaying signs of discomfort during matches, only to continue playing at a high level, as a reason for their doubts. For instance, during the Australian Open, Djokovic faced scrutiny over his hamstring injury, with some suggesting he was “faking” it. In response, Djokovic stated, “I leave the doubting to those people—let them doubt. Only my injuries are questioned. When some other players are injured, then they are the victims, but when it is me, I am faking it.”

In an effort to address these accusations, Djokovic shared an image of his MRI scan on social media, aiming to provide evidence of his injury’s authenticity. He captioned the post, “Thought I’d leave this here for all the sports injury ‘experts’ out there.”

Despite the controversy, Djokovic remains focused on his upcoming participation in the Qatar Open, where he seeks to join the exclusive group of male players who have secured 100 singles titles. He expressed confidence in his recovery, stating, “There is no more rupture in the muscle, the injury is almost 100% healed.”

As Djokovic prepares for his return to the court, the debate among fans and commentators regarding the nature of his injuries continues, highlighting the challenges athletes face in managing public perception alongside their physical health.