Novak Djokovic stoked a controversy during the fourth set of the U.S. Open men’s final on Sunday by getting treatment on his foot mid-set.
Djokovic was down 3-0 in the fourth set and had just held serve to make it 3-1 when he asked for a break in action to get treatment on his foot. The break was granted and a trainer came out to treat his feet.
Stan Wawrinka was livid because he did not think a break for treatment was warranted. Typically players get treated by the trainers after a changeover, but that was a game away and Wawrinka believes he should have had the opportunity to serve during his game. Wawrinka voiced his complaints to the chair umpire, saying that he should have been allowed to serve.
Djokovic responded by telling Wawrinka he couldn’t stand:
A medical timeout is only supposed to take place during a changeover or set break unless the trainer determines the player has developed an acute medical treatment that requires immediate treatment.
In the end, Wawrinka was not slowed by Djokovic’s treatment and won the fourth set to take the tournament — his third major.
