5 times Novak Djokovic has been accused of faking injury after McEnroe claim: ft. Federer & Roddick

Novak Djokovic produced one of his finest performances in recent years — and arguably his whole career — to defeat Carlos Alcaraz at the 2025 Australian Open.
The legendary Serbian prevailed 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the blockbuster quarter-final after overcoming a leg injury that surfaced early in the contest.
Djokovic, who was grimacing with discomfort as his movement looked compromised, took a medical timeout to receive strapping on his left thigh when trailing 5-4 in the opener.
Tennis icon John McEnroe, who was commentating for ESPN, controversially suggested Djokovic was faking the injury as a tactic.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this routine. Don’t be fooled,” said the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion.
After Djokovic won the second set, the American’s brother and co-commentator Patrick McEnroe asked in disbelief: “Did you see this coming!?”
“Yes,” replied the former world No 1.
Here, we look at some of the other notable instances of Djokovic being harshly accused of feigning or exaggerating injuries.
Roger Federer
On the first day of the 2006 Davis Cup World Group playoffs tie between Serbia and Switzerland, a 19-year-old Djokovic fought back to beat Stan Wawrinka in five sets in Geneva.
Roger Federer, the world No 1 at the time, slammed Djokovic for calling the trainer against his friend and compatriot Wawrinka.
“I don’t trust his injuries. I’m serious,” Federer said. “I think he’s a joke, you know, when it comes down to his injuries.”
The Swiss took aim at Djokovic again at the 2009 Australian Open after the Serb’s title defence came to an end when he retired due to heat exhaustion in the fourth set of his quarter-final contest with Andy Roddick.
After he reached the semi-finals, Federer was critical of Djokovic’s retirement against Roddick.
“It’s happened before, he’s not the guy who’s never given up before, so that’s kind of disappointing to see,” Federer said.
“I mean, he gave up against me in Monaco last year because of sore throat. Those are the kind of things you wonder about. I’ve only given up basically once in my career.
“Andy totally deserved to win that match. I’m almost in favour of saying, you know what, if you’re not fit enough, just get out of here. If Novak were up two sets to love, I don’t think he would have retired 4-0 down in the fourth.”
Andy Roddick
Ahead of his quarter-final encounter with Djokovic at the 2008 US Open, Roddick mocked the Serbian when asked about the injury issues he had been battling throughout the tournament.
“Yeah, both of ’em (ankles)? And a back? And a hip? And a cramp? Bird flu… anthrax… SARS… common cough and cold,” the former world No 1 and 2003 US Open winner said.
“No, I mean, if it’s there, it’s there. There’s just a lot. You know, he’s either quick to call a trainer or he’s the most courageous guy of all time. It’s up for you guys to decide.”
Djokovic downed Roddick in four sets and hit back at the American in his on-court interview, which led to boos from the New York crowd.
“I am really happy playing against Roddick on his court and this is his city, his favourite tournament, so to win against him is a huge effort,” Djokovic said.
“Andy was saying that I have 16 injuries in the last match, so obviously I don’t, right? Like it or not, it’s like that.
“They (the crowd) are already against me because they think I am faking everything, so sorry.
“That’s not nice, anyhow, to say in front of this crowd that I have 16 injuries and I am faking it. I have nothing against anybody.”
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John Alexander
John Alexander, a former world No 8 who played between 1967 and 1985, claimed Djokovic strategically uses medical timeouts to break the concentration of opponents.
The 73-year-old Australian was speaking after Djokovic took a medical timeout for a wrist injury in his win against Jiri Lehecka at the 2024 United Cup.
“The injury timeouts — if there is a question mark over his greatness in his entire career, it’s the way he has, in many people’s minds, strategically used injury timeouts,” Alexander told the ABC Tennis Podcast.
“After the loss of the second set, take an injury timeout to have his wrist massaged for some five minutes, breaking the opponent’s concentration, maybe having thoughts entering into his opponent’s head ‘gee maybe he’ll default, I’m all over for the night.’
“Then he picks himself up, wins the next five games, wins that third set 6-1. I have to say at this point I agree with many of my friends who say if they don’t see blood they don’t believe there’s an injury.
“I think when players so routinely are taking advantage of these rules and so obviously using them strategically to have an advantage tactically over their opponent, these rules need to be looked at a little bit more.
“He’s entering the Australian Open as he did last year (2023), under the cloud of injury, maybe that’s what he needs psychologically to do his best.”
Adriano Panatta
At the 2024 French Open, Djokovic tore the medial meniscus in his right knee during his fourth round win over Francisco Cerundolo — an injury that forced him to withdraw before his quarter-final match against Casper Ruud.
The Serbian underwent surgery to address the issue — leading many to predict he would miss Wimbledon the following month — but he made an amazing recovery to compete at the All England Club, where he reached the final.
Adriano Panatta, a former world No 4 who won the French Open in 1976, has often been a harsh critic of Djokovic in recent years.
The Italian raised questions about Djokovic’s meniscus injury and subsequent operation ahead of his swift Wimbledon comeback.
“Let’s say there’s a big mystery surrounding him,” Panatta told Libero Quotidiano. “How is he really? Is he bluffing? And his recently operated knee?”
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