John McEnroe's comments on Novak Djokovic to blatant mistake in Iga Swiatek win: 4 controversies that rocked Australian Open QFs

The 2025 Australian Open is on the cusp of ending as top seeds like Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, and Alexander Zverev continue their winning ways Down Under. While the above trio have shown impressive form this week to reach the semifinals, a few controversies during their respective last-eight wins almost set a bad tone for the tennis universe.

Djokovic came from behind to down third seed Carlos Alcaraz in four sets to reach the semifinals, where he will face World No. 2 Alexander Zverev. Second-seeded Iga Swiatek, meanwhile, won her quarterfinal outing against Emma Navarro in straightforward fashion but copped criticism from fans over alleged lack of sportsmanship.

Without further ado, let's take a look at four controversies that dominated the narrative in Melbourne this week:

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#1 John McEnroe irks fans after claiming that taking medical time-outs is 'routine' for Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic looks on during his QF match at Australian Open 2025

Novak Djokovic was outplayed in the opening set of his eighth-career match against Carlos Alcaraz, dropping it 4-6 and showing worrisome signs as he repeatedly clutched his right knee. Last June, the Serb had torn his medial meniscus in the same knee, ultimately requiring arthroscopic surgery.

During the changeover between the first and the second set, the 24-time Major winner received a medical time-out and had his knee looked at. Playing with renewed vigor from that point onwards, the seventh seed didn't look back as he eventually beat Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

One of the most controversial moments of the match, however, came in the commentary booth at the Rod Laver Arena as John McEnroe insinuated that the 10-time Australian Open champion had faked his knee niggles during the contest.

"This isn't the first time we've seen this routine. Don't be fooled," John McEnroe said about the Serb's first-set MTO (via Ricky Dimon on X).

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#2 Alexander Zverev loses cool after 'frustrating' feather call from chair umpire

Alexander Zverev greets Tommy Paul after their Australian Open QF match

Alexander Zverev, meanwhile, also needed four sets to get past 12th-seeded Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals on Tuesday (January 21). While the German ran away with the last two sets, he received stiff resistance from the American in the first two sets before winning 7-6(1), 7-6(0), 2-6, 6-1.

As Zverev and Paul were embroiled in a gritty exchange at 7-6 (1), 2-4 40-40 down in the second set, the chair umpire stopped the point as a bird's feather was hovering just above the World No. 2's side of the court.

Perplexed at the umpire calling for a replay of the point over a feather, the second seed exchanged a few words with him. He also gave his two cents on the topic in his post-match press conference.

"Yeah, I never had that before, that we stopped a point because of a feather," Alexander Zverev told the media in Melbourne on Tuesday. "It was a bit frustrating because I got a first serve, and he won the point with that serve."

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#3 Iga Swiatek called out by fans over double ball bounce during quarterfinal win

Iga Swiatek in action during Australian Open 2025 QFs

Iga Swiatek also booked her place in the Australian Open semifinals, beating USA's Emma Navarro in straight sets. The biggest talking point of their encounter happened midway through the second set when the chair umpire made an error in his judgment.

Leading at 6-1, 2-2 Ad-In, Swiatek tried to track down a drop shot from Navarro but seemingly didn't get there in time, if the video replay is anything to go by. The umpire failed to see that the ball was not up, though, awarding the point and the game to the Pole.

Navarro wouldn't win a single game after that point as she slumped to a 1-6, 2-6 defeat. The World No. 2, meanwhile, attracted her share of criticism for not relinquishing the point to her American opponent.

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#4 Novak Djokovic's team invites controversy after covering their players' box camera during Serb's quarterfinal win

Novak Djokovic celebrates after reaching the Australian Open 2025 SFs

Novak Djokovic has to feature again in this list, albeit this time, the source of controversy was not him but his team. One game into the Serb's quarterfinal outing against Carlos Alcaraz, his team noticed the players' box camera and chose to cover it up with a cloth.

While the move has since been lambasted by fans, it is important to note that Djokovic's team may have covered the camera to safeguard the privacy of his wife, Jelena, and his two children, Tara and Stefan. They were also watching the match from his box.