Novak Djokovic taking a medical time-out during his recent 2024 United Cup clash did not sit well with Roger Federer’s fans on X (formerly Twitter). The situation soon blew up into a feud as the two sections of fans traded blows.
Facing the Czech Republic in Serbia’s debut United Cup campaign, Djokovic came up against Jiri Lehecka in the men’s singles fixture. He inflicted a breadstick to win the first set but lost the second following a tiebreaker. In the changeover before the decider, he took a medical time-out as physios attended to his right wrist.
The social media fan wars started when a Federer fan account accused Djokovic of frequently using time-outs or bathroom breaks to halt his opponent’s momentum.
Djokovic loses a set, gets medical treatment or takes a long bathroom break to break up the opponents momentum.. what’s new? https://t.co/IxybQSOqUY
— thefedexpress (@DollaaaaDame) January 2, 2024
More Federer fans and Djokovic detractors echoed this sentiment and agreed.
And he keeps getting away with it https://t.co/byYk1oWutR
— ANGE✨ (@Angela_FCB) January 2, 2024
Exactly, he is always doing that when he loses a set or service breaks. Won many matches like this only worst strategies
— SANAKA SRI KANTH (@sanakasreekanth) January 2, 2024
As someone whose been a victim of this in much lower level tennis competition I think it should be banned. No physio times outs. If you’re that injured, retire. That simple.
— Joe Barnes (@escape_system19) January 2, 2024
These tactical breaks are a disgrace to our sport. Goes against all the values of tennis.
— Kamil Patel (@kamiltpatel) January 2, 2024
and then he and his fans complain why he’s not getting the loved awards by the crowd
— Rabih Obeid (@rrobeid) January 2, 2024
he always does this.. such disrespect towards the opponent
— Abhishek Dhillon khuda.lens(L3, ❄️)” De.Fi Army” (@Abhi_Solana) January 2, 2024
New Year same old BS
— Kim (@wilde4ways) January 2, 2024
However, supporters of Djokovic did not take this lying down. They hit back at those who were trolling their favourite player. A couple of users pointed out why Djokovic is being targeted for taking breaks when many players do this. In fact, they end up losing despite taking breaks.
I saw Vekic take a toilet break after losing the second set today https://t.co/3uJO7wNIiH
— #FreePalestine (@mpshe_shamai) January 2, 2024
If medical timeout makes people win how come other people take them and still lose? Or it only works for Djokovic
— ❤️Fez (@mbali_Djokofan) January 2, 2024
If p**ing makes players win – why aren’t they all p**ing and winning??? Healthy ppl have body systems functioning like clock works – nothing gets held up so they need toilet breaks. Retention & constipation & dehydration is not an advantage or anything to be proud of
— Jayne Jane (@JJayne3) January 2, 2024
Make sure you point out EVERY other player who goes to the bathroom and gets medical treatment
— Coach (@LeslieEricSimon) January 2, 2024
Others said what Djokovic did was well within the rules of the game.
Call up Federer to change the rules by tomorrow
— Gabriel (@RuggieroJe) January 2, 2024
The rules are the rules. Faulting an athlete for abiding by the rules is crazy. Federer not using a medical timeout or bathroom break is irrelevant. Djokovic broke every record he set, keep crying.
— Ajahni Sosa (@clayco___) January 2, 2024
It’s a common thing in tennis Fed & Rafa & Serena occasionally get treatment mid game, at times they’re not even losing. Also Novak is 36, it would be understandable if he has multiple minor injuries. Normal everyday people complain about a weak back and they don’t do anything.
— Ivan (@Ivan_UNITE) January 2, 2024
Within the rules. Cry moar.
— Peter Richard (@cashfl0w2) January 2, 2024
It’s is something that he can do he is using the rules to his advantage everyone can do that that’s why he is the goat because apart from being the best tennis player he is also extremely smart
— Παπαθεοδώρου Νικόλας (@yTTlwFyqLy5Z7pf) January 2, 2024
Some fans mocked Federer, also dragging Rafael Nadal, to respond to the jokes at Djokovic’s expense.
The tears of fedals certainly are not new
— Alexandra (@alexxandra1011) January 2, 2024
crying wont give federer his 21st slam
— Jayant (@jayantCRnole) January 2, 2024
Jealousy is such a disease. Look at this poor soul here. Can’t get anymore pathetic than this. ♀️ https://t.co/QIOKAoby96
— NewEna (@LelaPe2) January 2, 2024
It’s 2024 and Fedal fans are still bitter https://t.co/hugg8zb8FB
— Akos (@UncleAkorede) January 2, 2024
Happy 2024. pic.twitter.com/VWq3Qg450O
— Dejan Trifunović (@DejanTrifa) January 2, 2024
He doesn’t need a break to humiliate frauds like fedal etc.
— N!h!t (@S___P_D) January 2, 2024
Medical time-outs not a new thing for Novak Djokovic
Despite requiring medical attention, Novak Djokovic brushed himself off and imposed another breadstick upon Jiri Lehecka. He won 1-6, 7-6(3), 1-6 to keep his country alive in their second round-robin clash. Serbia triumphed in mixed doubles to secure the tie and top Group E. They will now face hosts Australia in the quarter-finals.
This is not the first time Djokovic has taken a medical time-out when seemingly down and out, only to bounce back in imperious form. This is a very familiar script, often angering Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal fans. A recent example is the 2023 Cincinnati Masters final. In the titanic clash, Carlos Alcaraz looked like he would race away with a straight-set victory.
The Spaniard had won the first set and led 4-2 in the second. Djokovic struggled in the hot and humid conditions and took a couple of time-outs in the second set. He soon showed incredible form to save a championship point and send the match into the decider, ultimately lifting the title.
Even if it infuriates fans of his rivals, no one can deny what Djokovic does is completely legal and allowed. The World No.1 knows how to perfectly time and utilise his breaks when facing dire circumstances in any clash.
