Djokovic, the bottle and the mystery of the pizzino at the Australian Open. What risks – Corriere.it

Novak Djokovic he also passed the round of 16 of the Australian Open, beating — indeed, overwhelming — his home idol Alex DeMinaur, with only five games left (6-2, 6-1, 6-2). However, every year there is something that causes discussion. If in 2022 his expulsion from Australia due to the well-known events related to the vaccine had almost overshadowed the first days of the tournament, this time the issue was less serious, but it still sparked debate and social media.

Everything comes from a bottle delivered, via the ATP supervisor Gerry Armstrong, from Djokovic’s box to the Serbian champion during the second round match won in four sets against the French Couacaud, complete with a video to document everything which, on TikTok alone, recorded one and a half million views. It wouldn’t be the first time, given that Djokovic has received who knows how many bottles from his staff, without ever revealing the contents but limiting himself to defining it as a magic potion. The extra element a piece of paper attached to the bottle which, once arrived at its destination, is unrolled and read by Djokovic.

From this year, the rules related to coaching in the Australian Open have changed. Verbal messages are allowed, provided the player and his staff are on the same side of the pitch. The bench where Nole sat, however, was on the opposite side. Also in the new regulation of the first Grand Slam of the year, in this case only gestural signals are allowed, without specifications for the pizzini. Hard, honestly, to think that Djokovic and his staff could have violated the rules, but the relationship between Nole and the bottles continues to be controversial. Meanwhile, the hunt for the tenth title in Melbourne goes on: in the quarterfinals, Djokovic gets Rublev who, unlike the Serbian, had to work very hard to get the better of the young Rune, defined by many as the only true antagonist between the Serbian and the double digit.