"A certain resentment around Novak has been building": Toni Nadal crticises crowd’s reaction to Djokovic’s retirement at Australian Open

Toni Nadal was asked about Novak Djokovic’s exit amid boos at the Australian Open and speculated on the possible reasons behind the reaction of the local crowd. The former coach of Rafael Nadal mentioned the frustration of paying for a match that ended prematurely but believes there are deeper reasons behind the Italian crowd’s response.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion had been enjoying a strong run in Melbourne, advancing to the semifinals and emerging as a top contender for the title. His impressive quarterfinal victory against Carlos Alcaraz, coming from a set down, cemented him as a favourite.

However, Djokovic couldn’t replicate that performance in the semifinals against Alexander Zverev. After a gruelling 80-minute first set, the German clinched the tiebreak 7-6 [7-5]. Djokovic immediately gestured to the chair umpire to announce his retirement, swiftly shaking hands with Zverev at the net.

Djokovic’s withdrawal came as a surprise, given that he hadn’t taken medical timeouts or called for a physiotherapist. In a recent interview with Spanish outlet El País, Toni Nadal shared his perspective on the crowd’s reaction to Djokovic’s exit.

"First of all, I understand that the crowd expressed their disappointment and anger at being deprived of the expected spectacle after having paid for it," he said. "But the second reason, and probably the most important, is that over the years, a certain resentment around Novak has been building due to his grimaces or theatrics, which have cast doubt on the authenticity of his injuries."

"When a player faces physical issues in such a high-stakes match, they usually delay the decision to retire until the very end. They call for the physio, play a few games despite being impaired, and only after confirming the inevitable do they opt to retire," Nadal added. "On more than one occasion, we’ve seen Novak with similar behaviours, with facial expressions and body language that contradict what we’re witnessing on the court, raising doubts about the authenticity of his issues."

Nonetheless, the former coach of Félix Auger-Aliassime also considered the crowd’s reaction unfair and lamented Djokovic’s unfortunate exit from Melbourne Park. "I believe that a great champion like the Serbian, someone who has contributed to writing the most illustrious pages in tennis history."

"He should never leave a court in such a manner, and even less so the Rod Laver Arena, where he holds the record for victories and titles. Respect, in my opinion, is something he fully deserves in the difficult moment of having to leave the court that has so often witnessed his triumphs."