“I feel sympathy for Novak Djokovic. Athletes should not be treated as villains.”
This is what Victoria Azarenka (33, Belarus) said through her spirit as she reached the quarterfinals of the 2023 Australian Open (AO) women’s singles. Azarenka, ranked 24th in the world, caused a stir by defeating Jessica Pegula (28, USA), 3rd in the women’s singles quarterfinals, 2-0 (6-4, 6-1) on the 24th.
Azarenka is the Australian Open women’s singles champion in her past 2012 and 2013. Since 2013 she has had a chance at the top again, reaching the semifinals for the first time in ten years.
According to BBC Sports, Azarenka had been questioned over the legitimacy of the ‘toilet break’ during a match against Sloane Stevens (USA) in 2013. Is it because of that? He seems to have mentioned this time about Novak Djokovic (36, Serbia), who is controversial for similar reasons.
Djokovic felt an abnormality in his left hamstring in the tournament before the Australian Open, but it is known that he exaggerated the extent of the injury this time and is causing controversy.
“Our players are normal human beings going through a lot,” Azarenka said. I don’t know, but sometimes there’s a villain’s desire that’s hard to believe, and there’s a heroic story that needs to be written. But we are neither villains nor heroes.” 메이저사이트
Djokovic, who will compete with Andrei Rublev (25, Russia) to advance to the semifinals, said earlier this week that he was “an easy target to become a villain.” It is known that Djokovic was displeased with the controversy over the effectiveness of his toilet break that arose in the second round against Enzo Cuaco (France). He was even suspected.
Djokovic came out with a heavy bandage on his left thigh in the second round and also used a medical timeout. He did the same in round 3 against Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria). Djokovic is reported to have told the Serbian media that his injury was suspected after his 4th round victory over Alex Dminor (Australia).