Former world No. 1 and tennis legend Boris Becker has strongly denied allegations that he questioned Novak Djokovic’s injury during the Australian Open. Becker, who has long been associated with Djokovic as a mentor and friend, criticized “clickbait media” for distorting his comments.
The controversy arose during Becker’s preview of the Australian Open semifinal matches for Eurosport. When asked about Alexander Zverev’s chances against the 24-time Grand Slam champion, Becker offered tactical advice, urging Zverev to focus on his own strengths and not be distracted by Djokovic’s on-court strategies.
“Sascha has to stick to his game and show his strengths – his serve, his baseline strokes, and his fitness. He mustn’t let himself be put off his game, whatever his opponent does,” Becker said.
While Becker’s comments seemed to emphasize Zverev’s need for mental resilience, some media outlets interpreted them as a veiled accusation that Djokovic might exaggerate injuries to disrupt opponents. The speculation stemmed from Djokovic taking a medical timeout during his quarterfinal match against Carlos Alcaraz, sparking discussions about the severity of his condition.
In response to the reports, Becker took to social media to clear the air. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), he refuted claims that he questioned Djokovic’s injury and criticized the media for misrepresenting his remarks. “I have never questioned the severity of @DjokerNole’s injury! Probably someone did wrong translation from German into English… Schatzi is family for me since 2013! It’s all about the click-bait these days and not about facts!” Becker posted.
The timing of the controversy added to the drama, as the Zverev-Djokovic semifinal ended prematurely due to Djokovic’s retirement. The Serbian star, who had won the first set, retired during the second set, citing a muscle tear. To silence any remaining doubts, Djokovic later shared his MRI scan results on social media, confirming the injury’s authenticity.
Becker, a six-time Grand Slam champion, has been a consistent supporter of Djokovic since their coaching partnership began in 2013. His defense of the Serbian player underscores their close bond.
This incident highlights the growing issue of sensationalism in sports reporting. Becker’s frustration with “clickbait media” reflects a broader challenge faced by athletes and commentators alike, where words can be twisted to fuel unnecessary controversies.
As for Djokovic, the world No. 2 may have missed out on adding another title to his record-breaking career, but he proved his resilience both on and off the court, sharing proof of his injury to silence critics.
