A report has emerged from Serbia which claims that a fever was the catalyst behind
Novak Djokovic's shock loss at the 2024 Australian Open to Jannik Sinner. Quotes from Luka Nikolic, a journalist were published on social media and stated that the 24-time Grand Slam champion was battling a fever the night before he lost to the Italian.
Djokovic who also looked to suffer at other junctures of the tournament looked a different player against Sinner easily losing the first two sets before forcing Sinner to a fourth. He had previously complained in previous rounds about being unwell and also pre tournament had his issue with his wrist injury which was highly documented.
Some on social media in response to these comments said that as a result it was likely to be the case, while others as expected said it was merely an excuse on the part of the 24-time Grand Slam champion as to why he lost out to the first time Grand Slam champion again.
"Novak got a fever the night before the semi-final,' Nikolic from Meridian Sport Global said this week. "[It was] something similar to what [Alexander] Zverev had.
"He was sick for three weeks, and then he had a relapse. That's why he played so badly in the first two sets, you could see he was so weak and couldn't do it. He couldn't play well in those conditions. He didn't want to go to the doctor so the journalists wouldn't bother him and make a fuss."
