Robredo lambasts Djokovic for exaggerating injuries

By Pritha Sarkar

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Spaniard Tommy Robredo accused Novak Djokovic of exaggerating the seriousness of his injuries to get some extra rest during their draining five-set tussle in the fourth round of the U.S. Open on Tuesday.

Djokovic took an injury time midway through the second set to get a painful hip treated, complained of an upset stomach and also appeared to be hobbling around court after rolling his ankle.

Robredo, who lost 4-6 6-2 6-3 5-7 6-3, did not seem too sympathetic.

"I have pain, as well. I was running like hell and my feet were burning but I say nothing," said Robredo, who tumbled to the ground in the fifth set while lunging after a Djokovic shot.

"I think that if you're not fit enough, then don't play.

"But after every time he was asking for a trainer, he was running like hell and he was making the shot. But he does what he does a lot of times."

Robredo felt Djokovic was taking advantage of rules that allowed players to receive multiple medical breaks provided it was a new problem that needed to be treated by the trainer.

It is not the first time that Djokovic has been accused of stretching the rules.