Advertisement

'Didn't have any injuries': Novak Djokovic explains controversial medical timeout

Australian Associated Press
·4-min read

At a time when every medical timeout comes under immense scrutiny from tennis fans, Novak Djokovic stoked the flames in the Australian Open final.

Trailing two sets to one, Djokovic called for the doctor and took a timeout to receive some treatment.

‘CANNOT BELIEVE IT’: Djokovic facing fine over ugly run-in with umpire

‘MORE IMPORTANT THINGS’: Thiem's incredible runner-up speech

Many fans accused the Serb of taking the timeout just to mess with Dominic Thiem’s momentum, but Djokovic has since revealed he was battling illness and dizziness.

After the match Djokovic admitted he "couldn't believe what was happening" after surviving a physical and psychological meltdown to storm home and win a mind-blowing eighth Australian Open crown.

Novak Djokovic, pictured here receiving treatment during the Australian Open final.
Novak Djokovic receives treatment during the Australian Open final. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

A winner of the longest grand slam final in history, a near-six-hour epic against Rafael Nadal in 2012, Djokovic was unable to explain his ordeal on Sunday night.

"Tonight it was toe-to-toe battle. I was on brink of losing that match. I didn't feel great on the court at all," Djokovic said after his 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-4 escape against Thiem.

"It was quite surprising, to be honest, because I felt it started off well.

"But I played a couple of doubles, then the energy dropped and then the whole thing just started happening. I couldn't believe what was happening.

Novak Djokovic, pictured here taking some energy gels during the Australian Open final.
Novak Djokovic took some energy gels to recover. (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

"Dominic started dominating from back of the court and won two sets pretty easily.

"I didn't have any injuries and it was very strange to me because I've done things pretty much the same as I always do.

"My energy completely collapsed. Every time I would toss the ball, I would feel dizzy.

"We were trying to do everything possible within the circumstances to kind of find a way to rejuvenate, I guess, and I was lucky."

Djokovic regroups to claim title

Looking resigned to defeat, the Serbian ironman somehow regrouped to claim a dramatic win in a minute shy of four hours to clinch a 17th grand slam title.

"I did talk to the doctor and she did assess an evaluate me and she told me that I have maybe few conditions and things like that,” he said.

"But it's not much you can do but get energy gels and bars and lots of liquid and she told me I was dehydrated so I tried to drink as much as I can, I guess.

"There was definitely an emotional aspect to all of this. With all the experience that I have had, I'm still nervous, still stressed out about what's going to happen, how am I going to play.

"Then there was one point where I just said 'OK, I have to accept it. It is what it is. Let's try to do everything possible to come back.'

"And then I guess the fortune was on my side."

With Yahoo Sports