This year’s Australian Open was truly unforgettable for Novak Djokovic. Not only did he miss the chance to capture a 25th Slam, the 24-time Major winner also received massive flak from the Melbourne crowd at a venue where he’s mostly received accolades. It was his on-court struggle down under that mainly scripted his downfall. He had to leave the court in the semifinal against Alexander Zverev after losing the first set due to a muscle tear. But instead of getting sympathy from fans, he got booed. He later got a lot of criticism for leaving the event abruptly, after which the tennis GOAT even posted a picture to prove his injury was real. But why?

For the unversed, Djokovic had sustained injuries back in 2021 and 2023 Australian Open editions too. But on those occasions, he eventually battled through his pain and won the titles. In 2021, he tore an abdominal muscle while in 2023, he had a three centimeter tear in his hamstring. But in 2025, Djokovic knew that the extent of his pain was beyond control. So was that also the reason he decided to share a picture of his MRI scan to silence critics? Especially those who assumed that he faked his injury? Well, there was more to his reaction than that.

In a February 14th interaction with Sportklub, Djokovic was asked, “What provoked him to post a photo of an injured muscle after the Australian Open?”

“I was provoked by the fact that the few times I was injured in Australia, in 2021 and 2023, I can’t say everyone, but I felt that a fairly large group of people thought that it was not true and that my injuries were actually some kind of provocation or strategic mental games with my opponents.” Speaking about why he chose to share picture of his MRI scan, Djokovic revealed, “I would not have reacted if some legends of our sport had not reacted.”

He referred to the incident where, during the QF round against Alcaraz, he had sustained a leg injury. He was then forced to take a medical time-out (MTO) and when he came back on the court, his performance was better. Eventually, he even won that match. Reacting to his MTO, however, ATP legend John McEnroe, who was commenting for ESPN, made a controversial remark. He said, “This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this routine (from Djokovic). Don’t be fooled.” To this, his fellow commentator and brother Patrick McEnroe asked, “Did you see this coming?” John replied, “Yes”.

“I think when some things stay on social media, it’s okay. But, when it really escalates to the point where people, having a dilemma, simply question my integrity and the credibility of what I said is, especially when it comes from some people who are really legends of our sport and who have a multi-million audience that listens to them when they broadcast the matches, then I already felt the need to simply react.” And that’s when the Serbian decided, “Let me show you the image from that MRI.”

Speaking of the injury itself, Djokovic has shared a good news lately.

Novak Djokovic will be back in action at the Qatar Open

Few days back, Novak Djokovic sat down with a Montenegrin newspaper, Vijesti. During the interview, he shared a major update on his recovery. Confirming his participation in the upcoming Qatar Open, he revealed, “There is no more rupture in the muscle, the injury is almost 100 percent repaired and I am ready to go to new work victories. I have the green light from the medical team that I can train, that I can prepare. The tournament in Doha is scheduled in seven days, so I’m sticking to the schedule”

Furthermore, the Serbian also mentioned that he’s focused on his main goal: to win the 25th Slam. Along with that, he’s just one ATP title away from completing 100 titles! “I hope that the 100th trophy can come to Doha now, I’ve been chasing it for a long time, since October last year, but about that – it will come when it needs to come. Thank God, I know he will come, we will see when and where.”

And what about the 25th major trophy? “As for the Grand Slam, it’s a bigger challenge, a harder endeavor, but I believe I can,” he concluded. With his target locked at the 100th ATP trophy at 37, Djoker looks set to join Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors’ elite club. But will his dream turn into a reality at Doha? Only time will tell.