Novak Djokovic has been caught up in drama over a bottle for the second time in a matter of months, this time on the Australian Open.
Final November on the Paris Masters, members of the Serbian celebrity’s entourage had been filmed blocking the view of his physio mixing a drink that was later delivered to the participant throughout a match. Now an identical imaginative and prescient has emerged in Melbourne.
WATCH IN THE VIDEO ABOVE: Fan captures group sending labeled bottle to Djokovic.
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The 54-second clip, recorded throughout a changeover in Djokovic’s second-round victory over Enzo Couacauo on Thursday evening, confirmed a label being utilized to a bottle that was later handed right down to a match official.
The drink was waved on the chair umpire earlier than the ready Djokovic acquired the bottle and nearly instantly put it down to start studying the connected be aware.
The video, watched multiple million instances on TikTok and 500,000 instances on Twitter, sparked claims Djokovic was flouting the Australian Open’s little-known trial of latest off-court teaching guidelines.
Gamers are allowed verbal communication with their group when they’re on the identical facet of the court docket and alerts if on the other facet.
However with the rule but to be outlined publicly, the Djokovic video raised questions on whether or not a be aware from the field to the participant is taken into account a part of the deal.
The extra probably rationalization, nevertheless, is that the label gives detailed details about the drink itself.
Along with any standard regimes undertaken by Djokovic for health and cramping, the 21-time grand slam champion is managing a hamstring injury through the Australian Open.
He has acquired remedy on and off the court docket throughout a marketing campaign that continues on Monday evening with a blockbuster conflict in opposition to Australia’s Alex de Minaur.
The November video from the Paris Masters prompted enter on gamers’ drinks Australian tennis veteran John Millman and Djokovic’s spouse Jelena.
Millman stated it was a “ridiculous notion” to counsel Djokovic’s group had carried out something untoward.
“An excessive amount of consideration on a group member mixing sports activities drinks,” he wrote.
“A correct ridiculous notion that one thing is up, stadium full, cameras in all places, drinks combined in gamers field… I imply use a little bit logic right here, perhaps simply perhaps they do not need to give the sting to anybody.
“So as to add to that, inside a locker room you see a gamers group all the time making drinks, in unmarked bottles and put within the fridge. Coaching packages, complement consumption, and so on. are commerce secrets and techniques.”
WATCH IN THE VIDEO BELOW: Djokovic’s group blocks view whereas mixing drinks.
Novak Djokovic’s group caught on digital camera getting ready a secret drink for the celebrity.
Jelena spoke out on behalf of her husband when she replied to the one who uploaded the clip to Twitter.
“I do not see something dodgy,” she wrote.
“In truth, I see folks attempting to be non-public about their enterprise in a world the place everybody seems like they’ve each proper to level the digital camera at you each time they need.
“Apparently, wanting/attempting to be non-public makes you dodgy these days.”
Djokovic didn’t instantly reply to the video however Jelena stated he would when he was “prepared to speak”.
“This entire nonsense about making folks talk about one thing (when) they don’t seem to be prepared as a result of OTHERS are impatient (sic) is absurd,” she stated.
“Sit a bit in silence. Thoughts your self extra. Not every part you see is controversial.”
Djokovic was additionally requested about an unknown substance he appeared to inhale at Wimbledon final yr.
The 35-year-old stated it was a “magic potion” however couldn’t converse extra about it.
“You will discover out quickly,” he teased.
He later advised it was a product in improvement for a spread of dietary supplements and sports activities drinks.
