FORMER WIMBLEDON CHAMPION SLAMS BRITISH PRESS OVER ‘DISGUSTING TRIAL’ AGAINST NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Novak Djokovic has once again been the victim of a “disgusting, shameful and completely unjustified trial” by the British press, according to Marion Bartoli.
Former Wimbledon champion Bartoli’s comments came on the back of Djokovic being accused of refusing to provide a urine sample to an anti-doping agency official at the Davis Cup.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner lashed out over the weekend after he was given just 30 minutes’ notice about a doping test ahead of his quarter-final singles clash against Cameron Norrie on Thursday.
Djokovic eventually provided a sample, but he criticised the request for a test before his clash as he felt it disrupted his pre-match routine.
He also hit out the agent’s behaviour, stating: “I argued with him because that hasn’t happened to me in my 20-year career. He sat in a corner and followed me for hours. It was outrageous. I’ve always defended controls, but not before matches.
“There’s nothing to hide, but there have to be certain limits.”
When the news broke it was reported that Djokovic refused the test while there was even a suggestion that the world No 1 should be suspended, but the International Tennis Integrity (ITIA) has since revealed that was not the case.
READ MORE: ITIA confirms Novak Djokovic did not refuse doping test at Davis Cup Finals
“The first thing to say is that Djokovic did not refuse the test. The rules state that when a player is notified, they must provide a sample as soon as they can,” a statement read.
Bartoli shared Djokovic’s sentiments about the protocols when it comes to providing a urine sample before a match.
Speaking on Les Grandes Gueules du Sport – RMC, the 2013 Wimbledon champion said: “When you know you’re going to have a doping test, you have someone following you all day.
“As soon as you leave the court, he follows you, he is in the locker room when you take your shower. And if you can’t go to the bathroom he accompanies you to a press conference until you can urinate.
“So I don’t see what difference it makes whether it’s done before or after, especially since after the matches the urinary concentration is greater because during the match there is a dehydration effect.”
The Frenchwoman also criticised the British media for their continued “trial” against Djokovic.
She added: “The ‘trial’ that people have tried to bring against Djokovic is linked to the British press, which has no knowledge of anything, and which takes the liberty of accusing players. It’s disgusting, shameful and completely unjustified.”
2023-11-29T08:22:10Z dg43tfdfdgfd