Djokovic criticized for refusing doping test

Former French road cycling champion Marc Madiot believes Djokovic should be punished for refusing a pre-match drug test: "You always know the drug test schedule and someone will follow you that day. He will follow you to the changing room, to the toilet or even to the press conference room.

I know some doping is for a very limited period of time. So they have to test you before the competition. You have no right to refuse to take a sample, that's the rule. In cycling, if you refuse a doping test, you will definitely get a penalty."

Djokovic refused to take a doping test before the 2023 Davis Cup match (Photo: AP).

In the Davis Cup 2023 quarter-finals between Serbia and Great Britain last week, Djokovic was asked to take a doping test before his match with Cameron Norrie. However, Nole only took the drug test after the match, which he won easily with a score of 6-3, 6-4.

Djokovic was upset about the issue: "I told the organizers that I had never encountered this before. He sat in a corner and watched me all day. This was unacceptable. I support doping tests, but not before the match."

Finishing 2023 with three Grand Slam titles, Djokovic is aiming to defend his Australian Open title early next year, a tournament where he faces challenges from Sinner, Alcaraz and especially long-time rival Rafael Nadal.

Nadal will participate in the ATP 250 Brisbane International in Australia on December 31 and aim for the 2024 Australian Open. Although ranked 663rd in the world , Nadal is still allowed to participate in major tournaments based on wildcards or ranking rules (players who are absent due to injury for at least 6 months are allowed to submit a request to defend their ranking to the ATP when they return).

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/djokovic-bi-chi-trich-vi-tu-choi-kiem-tra-doping-20231205065535100.htm