Australian Open - 'Move the sign!' - Mats Wilander urges change after 'bad' Novak Djokovic injury

ByDan Quarrell

Updated 14/02/2021 at 08:52 GMT

World number one Novak Djokovic sustained a nasty injury in his third-round match at the 2021 Australian Open, and Eurosport's Mats Wilander believes that it was caused by the slippery 'Melbourne' sign at the back of the court. Wilander has urged tournament organisers to move the sign after Djokovic's injury.

Eurosport's Mats Wilander has called for the 'Melbourne' sign to be moved at the Australian Open after Novak Djokovic's nightmare injury.

Djokovic appeared to slip through the line when he sustained what Wilander referred to as a "really bad" injury which could be "really bad" for his career.

He has urged tournament organisers to move the sign and can't believe that the top seed has not kicked up a fuss about it after sustaining the setback in beating Taylor Fritz in the third round.

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"Move the sign, seriously!" Wilander said in the Eurosport Cube.

"I mean, that Melbourne sign, it's [painted like] a normal line on a tennis court, and they are slippery, which is why we always wipe the lines down if it rains.

"You're sweating, and Djokovic clearly slips through that paint part, so move it!

Was this the moment Djokovic’s AO defence came to an end?

It's crazy that he [Djokovic] doesn't even bring that up. This is really bad, and this could be really bad for his career.

"That painted Melbourne sign should not be that close to the baseline."

'Move the sign!' - Wilander urges change after 'really bad' Djokovic injury

Henman added: "He was talking about it being an abdominal tear. Well, if it's an abdominal tear it's almost impossible to carry on.

"Fingers crossed he is going to be able to go out there and be okay, because he has a great record."

'I think it's a tear' - Djokovic reveals he may not play fourth round

Djokovic takes on 14th seed Milos Raonic in the fourth round on Sunday hoping to shake off the injury, but under a cloud having suffered the fitness setback at a crucial stage in the tournament.

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