After having a stellar season throughout 2023, there have been a few hiccups at the end for the 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic. Before losing out to Jannik Sinner twice in a single day at the Finals of the Davis Cup, another moment made the headlines. The Serbian was left furious after being asked to undergo a random dope test just ahead of his clash against Cameron Norrie.

The world number one received a notice that he had to take a doping test just an hour and a half before his first match at the Davis Cup. This left the 36-year-old Serbian furious, and he requested to postpone it until the end of the match. Now reactions are pouring in after this incident and a former French cyclist has slammed Djokovic for his initial refusal. Let’s find out more about this story.

Suspension called out on Novak Djokovic for his reactions over a doping test

Djokovic managed to clinch a victory over Norrie by a 6-4, 6-4 margin. But he felt his pre-match routines might have been hampered by this ‘outrageous’ decision. Despite being critical about the initial request he had provided his urine sample after the match. Novak Djokovic is never afraid to speak his mind. He then went on to add that he has ‘nothing to hide’ and expressed his frustration at the behaviour of the anti-doping agency officials who followed him for hours. 

Novak Djokovic was never a fan favourite. So soon as he expressed his anger, Djokovic was slammed for his reactions. One such reactions came from the French former professional road racing cyclist and two-time Paris-Roubax winner, Marc Madiot. Here’s what he said, “There are rules of testing before and after competition. “If the anti-doping body is doing its job, Mr Novak Djokovic must be suspended. He refused a test before the match and did it after. In cycling, you are subjected to a test and if you refuse, you are automatically positive. If that is the case, you are sanctioned. You don’t have the right to refuse testing, that’s the rule.”

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He then went on to add,“In the assortment of doping products there are those that can be detected for a very limited period of time. If you don’t test yourself before the start, during the match, their traces can be erased in the body. That is why testing was introduced before the competition. The fact that he was only warned is unreal.” Although there were plenty of negative comments on the Serbian, there were few who backed the player.

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A former French tennis player has come in support of Djokovic

Just after a few days of identifying Novak Djokovic as being both the GOAT in tennis as well as the sportsman in the world, Marion Bartoli yet again comes to the scene. The former number 7, has been one of the biggest admirers of Novak Djokovic for several years. She had recently expressed her confusion over what’s the probable reason for taking the doping test a few minutes before the match. The former Wimbledon winner then went on to criticize the British press over their remarks on this incident.

ITIA has stated it as a standard practise and Djokovic had not been singled out. Yet the fire took long to finally be put to rest. Fans expressed their sharp reactions against the Serbian icon over the issue. While Djokovic said that he had never had to undergo such situations previously in his 20-year career. What are your thoughts on this? Is it right to conduct such tests just minutes ahead of a match?

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