“Literally zero suspicion” – Tennis analyst refutes Novak Djokovic’s bottle controversy at Australian Open

Tennis analyst Craig O'Shannessy has rubbished claims of foul play by Novak Djokovic's entourage at the Australian Open last month.

Djokovic's team was suspected of wrongdoing after video footage showed them sending the Serb 'secret messages' taped to energy drink bottles. While on-court coaching has been made legal in the form of gestures and short phrases, suspicion arose of Djokovic violating rules by receiving messages in such form.

Interestingly, the new coaching rules do not cover the use of written instructions.

However, Shannesy, a former member of the World No. 1's coaching team, told the Herald Sun that there was no wrongdoing on anyone's part.

"Players already carry a lot on the field with them, bag, racquets etc... And many times they don't really know what is going to happen," Shannesy said. "They don't know what electrolytes they will need. This is completely normal and completely within the rules."

He added that there was no foul play involved, as coaching staff, especially physiotherapists, 'invent' things on the go according to the player's requirements.

"In matches that are played practically day after day, it is quite normal for the coaching staff, especially for the physiotherapist, to invent something during the match and give it to Novak. If you're not familiar with the inner workings of tennis, that might seem a little suspicious, but it's not at all," he said.

"There is literally zero suspicion for a physical therapist to make a drink and hand it over. It happens all the time."

Djokovic won a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas last Sunday, his tenth triumph at Melbourne Park, to return to World No. 1.

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John Millman reckoned Novak Djokovic's team did no wrong after 'drinks' controversy at 2022 Paris Masters

Novak Djokovic at the 2023 Australian Open: Men's Champion Photocall

Novak Djokovic played with a torn hamstring to win a 22nd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open last month. However, the bottle controversy seems to have taken some sheen off his brilliant title run.

Interestingly, there were similar suspicions of wrongdoing when Djokovic's team prepared energy drinks for the player at the 2022 Paris Masters while obstructing the camera view.

Australian tennis player John Millman claimed that the Serb's team did no wrong, as the exact constituents of energy drinks and supplements of players are a 'trade secret'.

"Too much attention for a team member mixing sports drinks," Millman said. "The real ridiculous idea that something is up, stadium full, cameras everywhere, drinks mixed in the players' box... I mean, use some logic, maybe they just don't want to give anyone an advantage."

"To add to that, in the dressing room you see a team of players who always make drinks, in unmarked bottles and put them in the fridge. Training programmes, intake of supplements and other things are a trade secret."

Novak Djokovic started a record-extending 374th week at No. 1 this week.