Tennis Controversies of the Week: Novak Djokovic, Naomi Osaka, Carlos Alcaraz Australian Open 1R schedule draws flak; Danielle Collins reignites feud with Iga Swiatek, and more

The Australian Open faced criticism for its scheduling of Day 2 tennis matches, featuring top players like Novak Djokovic, Naomi Osaka, and Carlos Alcaraz. In other news, Danielle Collins received flak for steering away from the Iga Swiatek handshake controversy.

Meanwhile, the Australian Open drew ire for introducing special coaching pods for players and their teams. Elena Rybakina received criticism for backing coach Stefano Vukov amid mistreatment allegations. Also, Emma Raducanu discussed the extreme steps she is taking to avoid accidental doping.

On that note, here's a recap of the top tennis controversies from last week:

---

Novak Djokovic, Naomi Osaka, and Carlos Alcaraz's Australian Open 1R schedule sparked controversy

The Australian Open organizers faced backlash for scheduling top tennis players Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Nick Kyrgios to compete simultaneously in different arenas on Day 2.

Tennis insider Jose Morgado revealed the January 12 schedule on X, showing Djokovic playing Nishesh Basavareddy at Rod Laver Arena, Alcaraz facing Alexander Shevchenko at Margaret Court Arena, and Kyrgios taking on Jacob Fearnley at John Cain Arena---all at the same time. Naomi Osaka's first-round clash with Caroline Garcia is also scheduled after Djokovic's match that evening.

"Super Monday OOP at the #AusOpen, with Novak Djokovic (Laver) and Carlos Alcaraz (MCA) playing at the same time. Swiatek and Kyrgios on John Cain Arena. All six main stadiums are brutal and many big matches on outside courts as well!"

---

Danielle Collins criticized for downplaying Iga Swiatek handshake controversy

Danielle Collins faced criticism for her response to a question about her controversial handshake with Iga Swiatek at the 2025 United Cup. During the exchange, Collins barely made eye contact and rolled her eyes before walking away—a continuation of their tension from the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Collins later stirred more controversy by using the eye-rolling moment as her Instagram profile picture.

In a pre-tournament press conference at the 2025 Australian Open, Collins explained the gesture was self-deprecating humor.

"We all compete hard against each other and give it our all, but I think for the most part, most of us are pretty cool about shaking hands with each other at the end of the day. Look, I'm a human. I have situations I like and situations I don't like, things that happen, right?" Collins said.

"And all these memes keep coming up on my Instagram of my face, my face says it all, but, you know, and so... I'm just somebody that's pretty genuine about what I'm feeling and thinking, and I also laugh at myself too because I know that I can be this way, and I know that it's not always the greatest, but I try to poke fun at myself and not take myself too seriously and I honestly encourage other people to do the same," she added.

The American tennis star added that fans often misinterpret situations without knowing the full context.

---

Australian Open received flak for introducing special coaching pods

The 2025 Australian Open faced backlash for introducing special coaching pods, which will be located at court level on the three main show courts and can seat up to four team members. Tournament director Craig Tiley described the innovation as a way for players to receive real-time feedback from their coaches.

"When they come and get their towel, you can talk to them, so you’re almost, in effect, able to coach your player after each point, if you want to," Tiley said in an interview with The Age.

Tennis fans criticized the move, claiming that it undermines tennis’s tradition of players strategizing independently. Some of them argued that it benefits players like Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff, known for relying on guidance from their boxes.

---

Elena Rybakina drew ire for standing by tennis coach Stefano Vukov despite mistreatment allegations

Elena Rybakina faced backlash for defending her new coach, Stefano Vukov, at the 2025 Australian Open following mistreatment allegations from former World No. 3 Pam Shriver.

Rybakina ended her coaching relationship with Vukov in August 2024, later hiring Novak Djokovic's ex-coach Goran Ivanisevic. However, she rehired Vukov earlier this month. On January 2, The Athletic reported that Vukov had been banned from coaching by the WTA due to an ongoing investigation into a potential violation of the tour’s Code of Conduct.

At her pre-tournament press conference, the Kazakh tennis star addressed Shriver's accusations against Vukov, stating:

"Since she doesn't know me, I don't know her, I don't think it's fair to make any comments like that, especially being an active coach, being commentator, journalist."

"I have never made any complaints or any of these things. I always said that he never mistreated me."

---

Emma Raducanu shares her experience of taking extreme measures to avoid accidental doping

Emma Raducanu discussed taking extreme precautions to avoid accidental doping. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has previously banned players like Iga Swiatek and Simona Halep for doping, with many cases involving unintentional consumption through medications.

In a pre-Australian Open press conference, the British tennis star highlighted her carefulness with diet and medications and reflected on the difficulty players face in proving their innocence if they test positive by accident.

"I would say all of us are probably quite sensitive to what we take onboard, what we use," Raducanu said.

"It's obviously a concern on our mind. We're all in the same boat. I think it's just how we manage as best as we can the controllables. If something out of our control happens, then it's going to be a bit of a struggle to try and prove," she added.

Emma Raducanu will kick off her Australian Open campaign against 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova on January 13. The winner will take on either Maria Carle or Amanda Anisimova in the second round.