Novak Djokovic insists he didn't "defy" chair umpire Aurelie Tourte in taking toilet break
The nine-time Australian Open champion responded to Eurosport's Instagram caption by stating, "She gave me permission and told me to be quick. Next time be mindful with what you post."
“I need to go to toilet! Hello?! Hello?! Hello?!”
Nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic is set to headline Thursday’s night session on Rod Laver Arena. But before stepping on court, the No. 4 seed took to social media to clear up a moment from his first-round match and convey his dissatisfaction with how it’s been portrayed.
On an Instagram video showing the Serbian leaving the court after informing chair umpire Aurelie Tourte that he needed to use the restroom five games into his eventual straight-set victory over Roberto Carballes Baena, Eurosport captioned it, “Novak Djokovic defied the umpire to take an early bathroom break in his first match at the Australian Open.”
Djokovic shared the post on his Instagram story, writing, “Eurosport, please get your information checked before you post something judgmental and wrong.”
As seen in the clip, Djokovic clearly attempted to get Tourte's attention three times. After a brief exchange, the 35-year-old ran off to the corner on his side of the court.
Djokovic's second IG story laid out his version of events. It read:
“Chair umpire allowed me to go to toilet but she told me I don’t have toilet break, just change over break. So she told me (you didn’t capture that with camera) I had to hurry up. When I almost exited the court, she called me (I didn’t hear) and it was to tell me that toilet was on the opposite side of the court.
“I found one where I went also, and I had to be quick because of the time. I didn’t ‘defy’ her or the rules. She gave me permission and told me to be quick. Next time be mindful with what you post. You have responsibility towards many sports fans that follow [your] page.”
This all will surely be flushed from his mind when he faces qualifier Enzo Couacaud. A 10th triumph here would see Djokovic tie Rafael Nadal for the most Grand Slam titles in men's tennis history. Nadal fell in the second round to Mackenzie McDonald Wednesday.