Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz has looked in superb form at the US Open so far. He has cruised through his games to reach the Round of 16. But in a rather bizarre turn of events, Carlos has found himself in the middle of a controversy involving pills. Former US Open champion Novak Djokovic too, has found his name being dragged into this row.
Alcaraz secured his spot in the next round by defeating Dan Evans 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. However, he found himself in the eye of a storm on social media when fans noticed him taking ‘mysterious pills’ during the match.
One of Alcaraz’s team members had handed a bottle with the pill to a ball kid, who passed it on to Carlos. Fans were shocked by this entire exchange, stating that if Novak did this instead, it would make headlines.
I wonder if this video will now also go viral? Can you imagine the uproar if this was Djokovic? The double standards and propaganda in Tennis couldn’t be more blatant.pic.twitter.com/ctmmnfQdUE
— Pavvy G (@pavyg) September 2, 2023
This incident took place during the second set after Alcaraz had secured the opening set. He was apparently under the weather and asked his team for a pill for his ailment.
This is not unusual, but it led to all kinds of conspiracy theories on social media. Commentators called it Alcaraz’s “secret stuff” and a fan wondered, “Is that ibuprofen or steroids??”
I see some red pills. Is that ibuprofen or steroids??
— Deborah B (@DebBerbs) September 2, 2023
It is likely Carlos took the pill because he was unwell. An unidentified sickness has affected several players at the US Open and Carlos may be a victim of it too. But the reaction to this incident has been tame, compared with some of Novak’s controversies.
What similar controversies did Novak Djokovic start?
Djokovic started a controversy at Wimbledon last year when he was spotted inhaling something from a bottle. This incident occurred when the Serb clashed with Cameron Norrie for a spot in the final.
Novak is well known for his bizarre beliefs. When he was asked about the contents of the drink, he called it a ‘magic potion’ and refused to elaborate. “Magic potion, that is all I can say,” (via Daily Mail).
I would very much like to know what was in this bottle. It certainly wasn’t liquid, and he gestured to his coach before inhaling it. Very odd. pic.twitter.com/bBG62BOMFh
— Damian Reilly (@DamianReilly) July 5, 2022
In a separate incident at the Paris Masters last year, Novak Djokovic was seen drinking something his physiotherapist concocted. Djokovic’s physiotherapist handed over the bottle to a ball girl, who then gave it to Djokovic, similar to Alcaraz’s case.
Despite the conspiracies that fans come up with, neither player has taken any banned substances. Both Carlos and Novak are through to the Round of 16, with a possibility of another final showdown between them. Alcaraz is the defending champion, whereas Djokovic is eyeing his 24th Grand Slam title.
