Novak Djokovic has one other media problem.
Djokovic took a bathroom break in the beginning of his first-round match against Spaniard Carballes Baena on the Australian Open on Tuesday, with TV commentators Mark Petchey and John Fitzgerald questioning why Djokovic would only must do it five games into the match, with Petchey claiming the referee told Djokovic that he couldn’t leave the court, however the star had “pulled out a rank”.
EuroSport also sent out a tweet that drew Djokovic’s ire. “Novak Djokovic defied the referee to take an early toilet break in his first match on the Australian Open,” the outlet tweeted.
Djokovic later attacked the broadcaster in multiple places.
“Again, I’m asking the query in public: why didn’t the ATP or Grand Slam come out and explain the situation once they see that the media is publicly lynching me?” Djokovic he asked journalists from his native Serbia.
He also wrote long replies to expired Instagram stories.
“Eurosport please check your information before you post something judgmental and unsuitable,” wrote Djokovic in a single article, as reported by Fox Sports Australia.
Djokovic offered an extra explanation on his side of what happened and admonished EuroSport to be more “observant”.
![Novak Djokovic has used the words](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/GettyImages-1457631622.jpg?w=1024)
“The referee allowed me to go to the restroom, but she told me I haven’t got a restroom break, I just change during the break,” Djokovic wrote. “So she told me (you didn’t capture it on camera) that I needed to hurry. As I used to be almost leaving the court she called me (I didn’t hear) and was about to inform me that the bathroom is on the other side of the court.
“I discovered one which I went to too, and I needed to hurry due to time. I didn’t “defy” her or the principles. She gave me permission and told me to rush. Next time watch out what you post. You could have a responsibility to the numerous sports fans who follow your @eurosport page.”
Djokovic, a nine-time winner of the Australian Open and fourth within the tournament, will face No. 27 Grigor Dimitrov within the third round on Saturday.