In a script reminiscent of the past, Novak Djokovic took a medical timeout under pressure during the Australian Open 2025 quarter-finals against world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, only to return with a bang and clinch the match. Djokovic took a medical timeout for a groin injury in the first set which he lost 4-6 but made an impressive comeback
to win the match 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the next three sets.

Djokovic’s on-court injury was even questioned by seven-time Major winner and American tennis legend John McEnroe. “This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this routine. Don’t be fooled,”
McEnroe said on Channel Nine.

However, was Alcaraz unconvinced about Djokovic’s injury?

Alcaraz accused of mocking Djokovic

A video of Alcaraz ‘mocking’ Djokovic during the fourth set of the match is going viral. In the video, Alcaraz can be seen limping for a few seconds and looking back at his support staff. The incident was also caught on camera by commentators, who felt Alcaraz was trying to imitate Djokovic.

Carlos Alcaraz mocks Novak Djokovic 👀👀👀#tennis #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/B1dEvf8Cl3

— FirstSportz Tennis (@FS_Tennis1) January 21, 2025

“You can see the frustration, he’s kinda limping around … and he gets up and does it again,” former American tennis player James Blake said in the commentary. “He’s obviously fine, just acting like he’s got some sort of an injury.”

McEnroe added, “That’s what I would do… If I was playing (Djokovic), I’d be like Novak right now”.

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Djokovic: ‘I feel for Alcaraz’

Djokovic admitted after the match that the medical timeout worked in his favour and refused to reveal details about his injury.

“Look, I saw it. I saw it. I try to use that to my advantage, in a sense, to take the initiative of the rallies and his hesitation,” Djokovic said. “He was trying to play at some point quite a few dropshots and make me run. I’ve been in the situations, as well, where opponent’s struggling with injury, but keep going. The opponent is going for everything, and then he’s staying in the match. Then all of a sudden as the match progresses, the opponent feels better. You’re starting to panic a bit with your game.

“I understand the feeling. Look, I feel for him. I understand that it’s not comfortable to play someone that you don’t know if he’s going to retire or not. Is he moving? Is he running? What’s happening?

“I felt that he was looking at me more than he was looking at himself.”