"Novak, do you care to explain this?" - Journalist asks Novak Djokovic for clarification after seeing video of Serb being handed secret drink during Paris Masters SF
Speculation has arisen over a mystery drink given to Novak Djokovic by his trainer during the Serb's Paris Masters semifinal against Stefanos Tsitsipas. While it is not uncommon in tennis for coaches and trainers to hand over drinks to players during matches, the body language exhibited by Djokovic's team during this exchange has caught the attention of many.
Journalist Jon Wertheim has now joined the chorus, seeking an explanation from Djokovic regarding the incident.
In a video doing the rounds on social media, the Serb's trainer Ulises Badio was seen preparing a drink for his player. Another team member seated next to Badio in the player's box was then seen turning his back towards the side from where they were being filmed, after being asked to do so.
Reacting to the video on Sunday, Wertheim raised concerns about the body language of Djokovic's team members. While he feels jumping to conclusions is not right, Wertheim stressed that Djokovic should be asked for clarification.
"Novak, do you care to explain this?”….I would caution against adverse inferences. But this would be totally fair game to ask in a press conference," Jon Wertheim wrote on Twitter.
“Novak, do you care to explain this?”….I would caution against adverse inferences. But this would be totally fair game to ask in a press conference… twitter.com/jasperbennigan…
"Yes, players can have drinks handed to them, much as they can (and do) freshly strung rackets….the team’s level of secrecy and the formation upon realizing they were being filmed? Unusual. It’s a legit question - and the player may well have a legit explanation," Wertheim added.
Yes, players can have drinks handed to them, much as they can (and do) freshly strung rackets….the team’s level of secrecy and the formation upon realizing they were being filmed? Unusual. It’s a legit question - and the player may well have a legit explanation. twitter.com/sarahfooth/sta…
During the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, in a similar incident, Djokovic was seen gesturing towards his team before inhaling something from a water bottle. When asked about that after the match, the 35-year-old chose not to reveal the contents of the bottle, joking that it was a "magic potion" instead.
"Every tournament is important at this stage of my career" - Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic's 13-match winning run was snapped by 19-year-old Holger Rune on Sunday. Rune stunned the six-time champion in the Paris Masters final, beating him 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Speaking after the match, the Serb expressed disappointment about the result but sounded upbeat about competing in next week's ATP Finals, highlighting that every tournament matters to him at this stage of his career. The 21-time Grand Slam champion also exuded confidence about his form on the court.
"Well, every tournament is important at this stage of my career. Anywhere I play, I try to win. That's not a secret. That's kind of my mentality and approach coming into Torino. I feel very good on the court. You know, I think I'm playing very, very good tennis," the Serb said in a press conference.
Djokovic wants to carry his momentum forward into the ATP Finals, and he stated in his presser that he plans to arrive early in Turin to train.
"Let's see. You know, I played there last year. Played really good tennis. Played semis, tight match against Zverev, who was eventual champion. I'll be there some days before to train, and hopefully be at my best," he said.