Novak Djokovic was selected for a random drug test just 90 minutes prior to his crucial Davis Cup match against Cam Norrie. The Serbian was left furious after the incident and rejected the test. Djokovic, along with his whole team, declined the test on such short notice and in the middle of the playoffs.
Novak Djokovic easily defeated his opponent Cam Norrie in straight sets to secure a place in the Davis Cup 2023 semifinals. The Serbian won the match 6-4 6-4, amidst doping controversy. After the match, Djokovic blasted the World Anti-Doping Agency and asked for more common sense in the whole matter.
Novak Djokovic is never afraid to speak his mind and the Serbian called the scheduling of the drug test ‘shameful’. The World No.1 said that giving a sample of blood and urine so close to an important match is ‘completely illogical’. The Serbian further added that he has nothing to hide but there have to be certain limits.
“It’s the first time it’s happened to me. It makes no sense to do it before when I’m going to be after the match. I was told an hour and a half before the start and I have my pre-match routines and I don’t have to think at that time about giving blood or urine. He has sat in one of the corners and followed me for hours. It’s outrageous. There’s nothing to hide, but there are also some limits”
After his win against Cam Norrie, Djokovic went straight to the Anti-Doping officers and asked for clarifications. The Serbian was not in the mood to let the matter slide. Also, Djokovic’s win meant Serbia are set to face Italy in the semifinals of the Davis Cup 2023.
Novak Djokovic fans react to the doping controversy
The Novak Djokovic anti-doping controversy has taken social media by storm. The tennis community on X are sharing their opinion about the same. Fans are slamming the anti-doping officers for their poor scheduling and standing in support of the Serbian. Some fans are wondering if the same situation ever arose when Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal were competing.
Tennys Sandgren shared his disbelief regarding the situation as well. The American tennis player admitted that he has never seen a player tested 90 minutes before their match. Fans and players alike, shared their opinion regarding this confusing situation on social media, most people agreed with Djokovic’s stance while others were on the anti-doping team’s side.
Missed this yesterday: Novak Djokovic was requested to do doping test one hour before his match vs. Norrie.
“I had a discussion with him [antidoping control guy] because in 20 years of my career, it didn’t happen to me before. [getting noticed so close to the match]”.…
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) November 24, 2023
Jose, I asked @TennysSandgren and he has never heard of this happening. Have you ever heard of a player being tested 90 mins BEFORE the start of a match? Nile did get tested and all is well but I just want to verify that it is not unique to him. Has it happened to any in the top…
— Trudy Seivwright MD (@SeivwrightTrudy) November 24, 2023
testing before and after matches absolutely should be happening, if it’s not- that’s a huge problem
— the villain (@theurbanjuror) November 24, 2023
Testing prior to event is common in pro cycling and triathlon.
With today’s doping strategies, it’s better to test just prior.
Why?
When do cheaters take their dope? figure ir out. pic.twitter.com/eus7DI4Zp1— Cyclepsyche (@Crank_n_Pedal) November 24, 2023
It’s absolutely irrelevant whether this has happened or not. @wada_ama and @itia_tennis rules are clear. Any player can be tested ANY TIME, including DURING the event. Refusal to comply is grounds for investigation with most severe consequences.
— GJ Walos (@gjwalos) November 25, 2023
So many people commenting that have no clue about the situation.
The whole Serbian team was required for doping control before the match. Note this is a blood test. Not peeing in a cup. Asked why they can’t do it after they citied it would be too late for the doping control team
— Dragan Zeljkovic (@DraganZeljkovic) November 24, 2023
Kind of make any player nervous before matches specially young players and ruins their concentration. Seems like ATP is getting desperate
— Mia Adams (@YourGingerFruit) November 24, 2023
Well maybe that’s a problem, they should have more doping tests right before matches
— Sofia Ayala M Galvão (@SofiaMGalvao) November 24, 2023
Call me crazy but how is it possible that the player has anything to say about the time of the test? Also… what?? They don’t get regularly tested before and after? You can sweat a lot of things out within 2h game…
— GJ Walos (@gjwalos) November 24, 2023
Imagine trying to draw blood from an athlete 1 hour before a match. Completely unacceptable. And of course this was done with all the bad intentions. Novak made a lot of enemies when he denied the UK citizenships, he needs to be very careful
— Lucas Benítez (@Lucas51192) November 24, 2023
Surely he can’t refuse.
— VAMOSRAFA!22 (@Tinkerbell01) November 24, 2023
