Novak Djokovic accused of cheating at French Open
Novak Djokovic had to come from behind to make the French Open semi-finals and the Serbian star has been accused of using dodgy tactics to get there.
Djokovic earned his spot in the final four after beating Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6 6-2 6-3 6-4, but he asked for a medial timeout while losing his only set of the tournament.
The world No.1 had his arm and neck treated but Busta suspected foul play and questioned whether he was really injured after the match concluded.
“Every time the match gets complicated, he asks for medical assistance,” Busta said.
“It’s something that he has been doing for years. When he is down, he asks for the trainer.
“The last (few) years, he’s always doing this when he has problems on court.
“Maybe it’s the pressure or something that he needs to do it.
“But, he continues playing normal. I don’t know if he’s in pain really. Ask him.”
Djokovic refuted the accusation and emphasised he needed treatment.
“No, it wasn’t that at all,” he said.
“I had to deal with that. I told you guys many times I’m over it. I’m not thinking about it at all. I mean, zero percent.”
“As the match went on, I felt better, didn’t feel as much pain.
“I had some neck issues and some shoulder issues. I’ll just say that. I don’t want to get really too much into it.”
Djokovic next faces Greek young gun Stefanos Tsitsipas, while Rafael Nadal takes on Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman in the other semi-final.