Serbia's tennis icon, Novak Djokovic, expressed intense frustration after being required to undergo a doping test shortly before the Davis Cup victory against Great Britain.
Despite Djokovic's anger, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) maintained on Saturday that such pre-match tests were standard practice and not a targeted measure.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion, visibly irked, disclosed his displeasure at being asked to provide samples just 90 minutes before the 2-0 triumph on Thursday that propelled Serbia into the Davis Cup semi-finals. Djokovic, reflecting on his two-decade career, conveyed to Serbian reporters his disbelief at the unprecedented decision to conduct doping control so close to a crucial match, disrupting his established pre-match routine.
"I didn't believe that they could make such a decision. In 20 and more years of my career, it never happened to me that an hour and a-half before the match, I needed to go for doping control," the 36-year-old lamented. He emphasized the distraction caused by having urine and blood taken just before a significant match.
Despite his willingness to undergo testing multiple times, Djokovic adamantly opposed the timing, stating, "I have no problem being tested a hundred times, but not before the match." However, the ITIA clarified that the entire team, not just Djokovic, was subject to testing, emphasising that this was a standard approach for team tournaments like the Davis Cup.
An ITIA spokesperson explained, "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." The spokesperson added that during the period between notification and providing the sample, the athletes are chaperoned by a member of the anti-doping team.
Already in a sour mood after a confrontation with British fans during his victory over Norrie, where he urged them to "shut up" and show "respect," Djokovic faces Italy in the Davis Cup semi-finals, with a match against world number four Jannik Sinner awaiting him in the second singles rubber.
