Novak Djokovic,
the men’s
tennis
world number one, was given a notice just an hour and a half before his first match of the
2023 Davis Cup to undergo a doping test along with the entire Serbian team. They all refused to comply.
Djokovic is known for speaking his mind, regardless of the controversy it might stir. His opinions on women’s tennis, Covid-19, and vaccinations are all points of divisive discussion.
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“It’s the first time it’s happened to me,” Djokovic said in Serbian. “It makes no sense to do it before when I’m going to be after the match.
“I have not yet completed the control, but I have already given a blood sample. 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.
“I have argued with him because it is something that had not happened to me in 20 years of my career. He has sat in one of the corners and followed me for hours. It’s outrageous. I have always defended controls, but not before matches. There’s nothing to hide, but there have to be certain limits”.
Despite defeating Cameron Norrie in the semifinals of the Davis Cup, the 24-time major champion went to talk to the representative of the World Anti-Doping Agency after he didn’t let the matter slide.
“He told me that they wanted to do it before the match,” Djokovic said. “Because afterwards it was going to be too late and to give the players a rest. And I replied that the winning team rested on Friday.”
Informed at the captains’ meeting
Last Monday, at the meeting of the members of the International Tennis Federation with the eight captains, they were informed of the
possibility of surprise tests by the World Agency staff before or after the matches.
This is the ITF’s usual system of operation in its competitions, different from ATP or ‘Grand Slam’ tournaments.
Jessica Roberts serves up the latest in the world of tennis. With a love for the racket sport, she reports on tennis matches, player rankings, and Grand Slam events, ensuring readers stay informed about the tennis world.
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