Tennis greats accuse Carlos Alcaraz of mocking Novak Djokovic over bizarre act in their classic Australian Open clash
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Carlos Alcaraz has been accused of mocking the injury that sent a scare through Novak Djokovic's camp during his come-from-behind win over the Spanish star at the Australian Open on Tuesday night. The 24-time grand slam champion took a medical timeout to have his left thigh strapped when he was down 4-5 in the first set after having his serve broken, before going on to record a stunning 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 victory.
![[The Spaniard was seen limping and grabbing his upper thigh in what tennis greats John McEnroe and James Blake saw as him mocking the Serb's struggles]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/21/20/94363539-14310303-image-a-21_1737493067861.jpg)
During a change of ends in the third set, Alcaraz was seen limping back to his seat and grabbing his upper right thigh before he sat down. He then stood up and continued favouring his left leg and grabbing at the area. Tennis greats turned commentators John McEnroe and James Blake picked up on it straight away and took it as the 21-year-old taking a shot at his opponent.
![[Blake said, 'He's acting like he's got some sort of injury there,' in commentary when he saw the 21-year-old clutching at his right leg and favouring his left]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/21/20/94363561-14310303-image-a-22_1737493105164.jpg)
'Novak is kind of in his head and when he was coming to the changeover here, he looks like he's actually... you can see the frustration. He's kind of limping around as if he's... then he gets up and does it again, looking at his [coaching] box and limping around. And then he's obviously fine, just acting like he's got some sort of an injury there,' Blake said.
![[Alcaraz's act divided tennis fans, with some accusing Djokovic of playing up his injury to get a much-needed break, or to provide an excuse if he lost]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/21/20/94363241-14310303-image-a-23_1737493162813.jpg)
'That's what I would do if I was playing him, I'd be like Novak, I'd be going right at Novak and be like, hey man, come on. No kidding, I don't blame him,' McEnroe added as Blake said, 'It's clearly the frustration.'. Djokovic called for a medical timeout when he was losing the first set of Sunday night's clash with Alcaraz - but recovered to record a stunning four-set victory.
![[The No.3 seed's 16-year age advantage over the 24-time grand slam champion counted for nothing in the epic three-hour battle]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/21/21/94363123-14310303-image-a-24_1737493200660.jpg)
