Novak Djokovic questions Rafael Nadal injury claim, saying: 'I didn't see a problem'
- Planet Sport writer
- 1 June 2022
The legitimacy of Rafael Nadal's injury claims has been questioned by Novak Djokovic after French Open epic
Novak Djokovic has accused Rafael Nadal of exaggerating the severity of his foot injury after their Roland Garros encounter.
Nadal beat Djokovic 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 in the quarterfinals on Tuesday as he kept alive his hopes of winning a 14th French Open crown.
Much of the talk at the tournament has been of Rafael Nadal's chronic foot injury which kept him out for much of last season and seemed to flare up again in Rome just days before he travelled to Roland Garros.
In fact, Nadal has said the problem is so bad that he is genuinely worried this may be his final French Open.
Djokovic, though, appears far from convinced after getting a close-up look at Nadal and his game.
"I didn't see any problems," Djokovic told reporters when asked for his observations of Nadal's foot injury.
"I am not surprised, it's not the first time that he is injured and comes back pretty soon at 100 per cent."
Djokovic also took exception to some of the treatment he received from the crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Nadal is hugely popular at Roland Garros given his 15-year love affair with the tournament, and that translated into a lot jeering aimed at Djokovic.
"I think the crowd contributed a lot to the turnaround in the fourth set," Djokovic said. "They were 99.9 per cent on his side and that's it.
"They lifted him up in those crucial moments when he needed to. They helped him find his energy."
Grand Slam legend John McEnroe certainly seemed to agree with Djokovic on that point.
McEnroe was part of the Eurosport commentary team for the match, and he criticised the crown more than once during the broadcast following unkind reactions to Djokovic.
"I think it blows basically is what I think," McEnroe said. "I mean it's crazy, come on.
"This guy is a credit to our sport, he comes out on the court, this is one of the greatest matches.
"They may never see - they will probably never see this match again on this court. Come on."
