Serbian tennis great Novak Djokovic is having a great run in the Paris Masters. The 35-year-old is yet to lose a match after his quarterfinal exit at the Roland Garros. Further, the legend has clinched titles at Wimbledon Championships followed by Tel Aviv and Astana Open.
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Continuing his stellar form, the Serb has made it to the finals of the ATP Paris Masters. In an intense semifinal, the 35-year-old defeated Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets. While the game was a nail-biter, a certain something that happened on the court raised many eyebrows.
Fans accuse Novak Djokovic of consuming something suspicious
In a video clip from last night’s semifinal match between Tsitsipas and Djokovic, we can see Djokovic’s trainer Ulises Badio mixing something in a drink for Djokovic. Later, the 35-year-old drank it. Surprisingly, Djokovic made a strong return in a game he had almost lost.
Can anyone who knows tennis explain what is going on here, and why it’s being done this way? It looks amazingly dodgy. pic.twitter.com/xoJHBLmTzA
— Damian Reilly (@DamianReilly) November 6, 2022
Now, people on social media are claiming it to be a magic drink. A few have raised a suspicion of it being a banned substance. Here’s how fans reacted on Twitter.
Suspecting something fishy in the drink, a fan wrote, “Huge money in tennis, the best of them are clearly taking PEDs and have been for years.”
Huge money in tennis, the best of them are clearly taking PEDs and have been for years 👎🏻 https://t.co/8sLmfJuFKU
— HibboFishingOnTheCanal 🍞🐟 (@HFOTC1878) November 6, 2022
Another fan poked fun at Djokovic’s staunch stand against the COVID-19 vaccine.
Lol, nothing to see here 🫣…..I assume whatever “potion” they’re throwing together reacts in the moment and can’t be made in advance? Maybe a Covid vaccine!!! https://t.co/RVSqyxIR77
— Joe (@LongWayToTipp) November 6, 2022
Another fan commented on a lighter note, “Fourteen year old me mixing an awful concoction of shorts with my mates at a family BBQ.”
Fourteen year old me mixing an awful concoction of shorts with my mates at a family BBQ. https://t.co/CF73g88KnI
— Jbwilliamz (@jbwilliamz) November 6, 2022
Joking about his vaccination stand, another fan wrote, “Now *that’s* a substance Djokovic has no problem introducing to his body.”
Now *that's* a substance Djokovic has no problem introducing to his body. https://t.co/S7PB1MQUT2
— Cartoon Steve Bould (@CartoonBouldy) November 6, 2022
Looking at the way he prepared the drink, a suspicious fan wrote:
So shady 😂 hide what they're putting in his drink https://t.co/ss6cfOYhUN
— Dan (@BIGdoodie82) November 6, 2022
A user also pointed out how the act was done without acknowledging that someone was filming it.
Seems totally above board to hide wha: going on when the realise someone is filming.. https://t.co/uOOu28HBMJ
— AndytheGinge (@andytheginge) November 6, 2022
That’s right sketchy https://t.co/fMhIW44zGw
— Skudd (@Scottreillyyyyy) November 6, 2022
One fan accused Djokovic straight away of doping.
Nothing to see here. Just @DjokerNole doping. https://t.co/2HuOZaRrlq
— John Mason (@masonary8) November 6, 2022
Another fan came up with a similar allegation.
Djokovic doping? https://t.co/zqblcqxf68 pic.twitter.com/dEPIwXMoHM
— Joe Bone (@josefbone) November 6, 2022
Popular journalist Ben Rothenberg also raised his concern about the situation.
I've always thought there should be more transparency about the substances players take, particularly during matches, but I've also rarely thought anything was likely amiss. But golly, the body language in this video is bizarre. What does the Djokovic team think needs hiding? https://t.co/sW3gglzvi3
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) November 6, 2022
One more fan who felt something was shady wrote,
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😳😳 OMG why are tennis authorities not looking at this. https://t.co/kYjuuOfL5h
— ShellyandPep 💙 not war (@shellytheblue) November 6, 2022
The truth about the video can only be confirmed after a thorough inquiry. Although it’s true that Djokovic turned the game in the latter half of the match. However, this was not the first time he did it, and claiming that a magic drink brought about the change is too far-fetched at the moment.
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WATCH THIS STORY: Novak Djokovic Turns Into Spiderman as He Hits the Shot Of the Tournament During His Victory Over Jannik Sinner In 5 Sets at Wimbledon Championships 2022
As the concerns raised here are genuine, the authorities should definitely look into it.