NOVAK DJOKOVIC risked getting in trouble once again in Australia – as he hilariously rushed off to the toilet without permission.
The Serbian superstar, 35, made his long-awaited return to the Australian Open on Tuesday after being deported 12 months ago as part of the Covid vaccine controversy.
Novak Djokovic had to rush to the toilet early on in his first-round match
The Serb jogged off the Rod Laver Arena with his towel
Aurelie Tourte tried to call Djokovic back but he was gone
Novak Djokovic defied the umpire to take an early bathroom break in his first match at the Australian Open
pic.twitter.com/khaClXr3vy
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 17, 2023
He did not take long to rediscover his best tennis on his favourite court to breeze past Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3 6-4 6-0 on Rod Laver Arena.
But at 3-2 in the first set, with just 25 minutes on the clock, Djokovic clearly was desperate for a wee.
Players are permitted two official three-minute toilet breaks in a best-of-five-set match and must be taken at the end of a set.
However, Djokovic tried to make the most of the 90-second break at the change of ends.
He raced back to his chair and tried to tell umpire Aurelie Tourte of his predicament.
The No4 seed – whose left thigh was heavily strapped – repeatedly tried to get Tourte’s attention and told her: “I need to go to the toilet.”
Djokovic picked up his towel and jogged off to the toilet just under the stand before Tourte tried to call for his attention.
He did not hear her, though, and he dashed past a security guard to make it to the urinal before any accidents.
Tourte then used her walkie-talkie to tell the supervisor Djokovic needed to be back in time to play otherwise he would receive a time violation warning.
The Frenchwoman called time as Djokovic walked back out tying his shorts up before a quick swig of his drink then walked to the baseline ready to return.
It is unclear if Djokovic’s quick toilet trip counted as an official break and it is unlikely he would be subjected to a fine for leaving the court without permission due to the speed and nature of the brief departure.
The Belgrade star is aiming to win a record-extending tenth Australian Open crown and draw level with Rafael Nadal on 22 men’s singles majors.
Nadal will not be adding to his tally in Melbourne this month or defending his crown after a hip injury hindered his second-round clash with Mackenzie McDonald.
The umpire warned the supervisor Djokovic needed to be quick
The Serb came out and was still tying up his shorts
He had a brief drink then got back into position to return
Djokovic was feeling the love as he came through a simple win
