The incident involving Carlos Alcaraz’s apparent limp during his Australian Open clash with Novak Djokovic has sparked intense fan debate. Some fans accused Djokovic of “faking injuries” while others speculated that Alcaraz’s actions were a deliberate attempt to mock the Serb.

On Tuesday, January 21, Alcaraz took on Djokovic in the 2025 Australian Open quarterfinal. This matchup was a Wimbledon final and a gold medal match at the Olympics in 2024. The tennis superstars put on a show at the Rod Laver Arena and it was the 24-time Grand Slam champion who came out on top 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

In the first set, with Alcaraz leading 5-4 and serving for the set, Djokovic called for a medical timeout (MTO). Despite the interruption, the 21-year-old held his composure and clinched the set. However, the Serb rebounded strongly, pushing Alcaraz to his physical and mental limits to secure a four-set victory.

Ahead of the fourth set, Alcaraz was visibly frustrated, limping around his bench before heading onto the court. Moments later, he walked normally, sparking a heated debate about whether the Spaniard was mocking Djokovic’s earlier injury concerns.

One X account posted the video of Alcaraz limping and captioned it:

“Does everyone think Carlos was mocking Novak here?”

A section of fans agreed, claiming that the young Alcaraz was, in fact, mocking his opponent.

“Of course he was. Novak is known for faking injuries and taking MTOs, he’s an embarrassment for it,” one fan wrote.

“Certainly looked like it to me. Djokovic noted it too…probably helped him in a way, as it was clear he had got into Carlos Alcaraz’s head,” another fan wrote.

“…frustration building in carlos …perhaps thats what lost him the match,” a third fan wrote.

Some fans, however, had differing opinions.

“Let’s please not start any drama 😐 — Carlos was venting his frustration out, probably coz he got distracted by Novak’s injury. Which is completely normal. He was not mocking,” one fan wrote.

“No. He’s just pushed himself a bit too hard there and might even have tape underneath. Think he’s just saying to his team that his body is taking a beating,” another fan wrote.

“Media are trying to make something out of nothing,” yet another fan wrote.

Novak Djokovic refuses to reveal injury he is suffering from at the Australian Open following QF win over Carlos Alcaraz

During his post-match interview, Novak Djokovic was asked about the injury he was suffering from. The Serb refused to open up, considering he is still playing in Melbourne.

“Well, since I’m still in the tournament I don’t want to reveal too much, obviously,” he said.

Further, the 37-year-old added that he might have retired if he did not win the second set.

“I didn’t know, to be honest, if I lost that second set, I don’t know if I would continue playing, but, you know, I felt better and better. You know, I was hesitant a little bit from the back of the court and, I took my chances and started to feel better, started to move better, so it didn’t bother me, it didn’t create any hindrance,” he added.

After his phenomenal win over the 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic’s quest for a 25th Grand Slam title will see him take on Alexander Zverev in the semifinals of the 2025 Australian Open.