Novak Djokovic Expresses Anger Over Doping Control Request Before Davis Cup Win
Novak Djokovic, the 24-time men’s Grand Slam winner, was left furious after being asked to undergo a doping test just before Serbia’s Davis Cup win over Great Britain. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), however, defended the decision, saying it was a standard practice and not specific to Djokovic. Despite the controversy, Serbia emerged victorious with a 2-0 win, securing their place in the Davis Cup semi-finals.
Djokovic expressed his frustration, revealing that officials had requested samples 90 minutes before his match against Cameron Norrie. The 36-year-old Serbian player told reporters that in his more than 20-year career, he had never encountered such a situation right before a match. He expressed his annoyance at the timing, stating, “I have my own routine — I don’t need that distraction, to have my urine and blood taken, to think about whether I can give urine at that moment.”
While Djokovic stated that he has no qualms about being tested “a hundred times,” he believes that the pre-match timing was inappropriate. However, the ITIA clarified that all team members are subject to testing and that it is a standard procedure for team tournaments.
Explaining the process, an ITIA spokesperson said, “Due to the format of team competitions, including the Davis Cup, teams may be notified that they have been selected for testing before matches begin and then provide samples when they are ready. Between notification and providing the sample, they are chaperoned by a member of the anti-doping team.”
Prior to the doping control request, Djokovic had already found himself in a sour mood after a confrontation with some British fans during his match against Norrie. In his post-match victory speech, Djokovic urged the fans to show respect and criticized them for attempting to drown him out with drums.
Looking ahead, Serbia is set to face Italy in the Davis Cup semi-finals, with Djokovic scheduled to play against world number four Jannik Sinner in the second singles rubber.
