"Ohh Novak Djokovic's in a close match, better call for an injury time out, shocked" - Fans react to Serb taking medical timeout at United Cup 2024

In the United Cup tie between Czech Republic and Serbia on Tuesday (January 2), Novak Djokovic took a medical timeout between sets to receive treatment on his right wrist. The timing of the timeout, however, didn't sit well with fans on social media as it came right after he lost the second set to Jiri Lehecka.

Earlier in the day, in a must-win tie for both teams, Marketa Vondrousova gave Team Czech Republic the perfect start with a win over Olga Danilovic. Lehecka next came up against Djokovic in the second match of the tie.

The Serb came out all guns blazing in the first set of the match, winning it 6-1. Though it looked like it would be a comfortable win for Team Serbia, the 22-year-old Lehecka took the second set after a hard-fought battle in the tiebreak.

The World No. 1 bounced back soon after for a 6-1, 6-7(3), 6-1 victory to give Team Serbia a very important win.

It was, however, his medical timeout that became a big talking point on social media. A few fans insinuated that this was a planned timeout by Djokovic to break Lehecka's rhythm.

One fan remarked how this was a frequent tactic used by the Serb whenever he found himself in a close match:

"Ohh he’s in a close match… better call for an injury time out…. Shocked!!!"

Another fan alluded to Djokovic's seemingly repetitive behavior, saying that the Serb always takes a medical timeout whenever his opponent gains the upper hand in a match:

"So, Djokovic seems to, more often than not, take MTO when the momentum appears to shift in his opponent's favor..."

Here are some other fan reactions:

Here's how Djokovic has fared on his debut at the United Cup

The Serb at the 2024 United Cup

After failing to qualify in the first edition, Novak Djokovic's Team Serbia are making their debut in the second edition of the United Cup this year. The World No. 1 played his first match against China's Zhang Zhizhen in Team Serbia's opener. He breezed past the Chinese, winning the match 6-3, 6-2.

Djokovic proceeded to win his mixed doubles match 6-4, 1-6, 10-6 alongside Olga Danilovic against the duo of Zheng Qinwen and Zhang Zhizhen.

Serbia's next tie was against Czech Republic, in which Djokovic beat Jiri Lehecka in his first match.