Novak Djokovic posts image of MRI showing hamstring injury after fans boo him for leaving match

Novak Djokovic faced backlash from fans after he was forced to quit playing one set into his semifinal match at the Australian Open due to a torn muscle in his left hamstring. The Serbian tennis star, determined to prove the severity of his injury, took to social media to share a scan of his injured hamstring, which he had undergone an MRI for the day before.

In a bold move, Djokovic posted the MRI image to silence the critics who questioned the legitimacy of his injury. He captioned the post, “Thought I’d leave this here for all the sports injury ‘experts’ out there,” highlighting his frustration with the skepticism surrounding his decision to withdraw from the match.

Despite sharing the scan, Djokovic refrained from divulging specific details about his diagnosis or a potential timeline for his recovery. The 37-year-old veteran player had stopped his match against Alexander Zverev after losing the opening set in a tiebreaker, prompting some spectators to boo him as he exited the court. However, Zverev defended Djokovic during his post-match interview, emphasizing the Serbian’s immense contributions to the sport over the past two decades.

Djokovic had initially sustained the injury during his quarterfinal match against Carlos Alcaraz, where he finished the game with tape on his upper left leg. The injury persisted in his semifinal match against Zverev, ultimately forcing him to retire early from the competition.

In a press conference following his withdrawal, Djokovic expressed his efforts to manage the muscle tear but acknowledged that the pain became unbearable during the match. Despite the disappointing end to his Australian Open campaign, Djokovic’s dedication to playing through the injury reflected his unwavering commitment to the sport.

Overall, Djokovic’s decision to share the MRI scan served as a testament to his transparency and determination to address any doubts surrounding his injury. As the tennis world awaits updates on his recovery, Djokovic’s resilience and professionalism continue to shine through in the face of adversity.