On the spot without permission?
Djokovic in need of explanation after going to the toilet
01/19/2023 09:37 am
Toilet discussions about Novak Djokovic: The 21-time Grand Slam winner denies reports that he went to the toilet during the first set in his first round match at the Australian Open without the permission of referee Aurélie Tourte.
Tennis star Novak Djokovic has publicly defended himself against the allegation of unauthorized toilet breaks at the Australian Open in Melbourne. The Serbian tournament favorite disappeared into the toilet in the middle of the first set during his opening win last Tuesday against Spaniard Roberto Carballés Baena, causing confusion.
He “didn’t challenge referee Aurélie Tourte because of the rules,” Djokovic wrote in an Instagram post: “She gave me permission and said I had to hurry.” The referee explained to him that this was not a toilet break, but a change break. Djokovic explained that the French yelled after him when leaving the square: “It was to tell me that there was a toilet on the opposite side of the square.”
Among other things, Eurosport had reported on its English-language website about an unauthorized visit to the toilet because the 21-time Grand Slam tournament winner did not wait for the referee’s okay. Djokovic asked the broadcaster to be “more careful” with publishing such messages. “You have a responsibility to many sports fans who follow your side.” The thumbs up that he left at the end of his post proved that the 35-year-old is probably not resentful.
The regulations make toilet breaks between sets possible, but do not rule out a break in urgent cases between games.