Novak Djokovic feels disrespected by Wimbledon crowd
Novak Djokovic, the tennis legend, found himself in a controversy after his recent Wimbledon victory over Holger Rune. Djokovic felt a section of the crowd disrespected him by excessively cheering for his opponent and even booing him. This outburst highlights a deeper issue – the complex relationship between Djokovic and the Wimbledon crowd.
During his on-court interview, Novak Djokovic called out the crowd, specifically those who he felt were booing him. He argued that while fans cheering for Rune was understandable, the negativity directed at him was unacceptable. The interviewer attempted to defend the crowd’s enthusiasm for the underdog, but Djokovic remained unconvinced.
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A History of Bias?
This isn’t the first time Novak Djokovic has faced a seemingly biased Wimbledon crowd. Similar situations arose in the 2023 finals against Carlos Alcaraz and in 2021 when Roger Federer was ousted from the tournament. In both instances, sections of the crowd appeared to favour the challenger and even resorted to tactics some might consider distracting.
Many believe a lingering fondness for Roger Federer plays a role in this situation. With Djokovic surpassing Federer in Grand Slam titles, some fans seem unwilling to accept the changing guard. This loyalty can lead to a reluctance to embrace Djokovic’s achievements.
Novak Djokovic not happy with the crowd at Wimbledon after match with Rune
“I know they were cheering for Rune but that’s an excuse to boo… I know all the tricks..”
“I’ve played in much more hostile environments. You guys can’t touch me”
🥶
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 8, 2024
There is an argue that there’s a double standard at play. When Federer faced defeat, the crowd rallied behind him, even heckling his opponent. Djokovic, on the other hand, doesn’t receive the same level of unwavering support.
The media is also seen as a contributing factor. Early portrayals of Djokovic as an unconventional player, coupled with his nationality (due to historical tensions between Serbia and the UK), may have influenced public perception.
It is important to understand Djokovic’s background, highlighting the hardships he faced growing up in war-torn Serbia. His family struggled financially, and his experiences undoubtedly shaped his personality. This complexity often gets overshadowed by convenient labels like “villain” or “spoiler.”
Nick Kyrgios, former Wimbledon finalist disputed Djokovic’s theory. He said that the fans were simply supporting Rune. Speaking to BBC Sport, Kyrgios said, “It wasn’t (booing) but I think crowds all around the world need to understand that Novak doesn’t need more of a motive to play better.”
Kyrgios said, “He’s driven, one of the best players in the world and I’ve seen it time and time again, the crowd try to poke the bear and that’s not what you want to do against Novak. He loves it. I try not to poke the bear when I play him…and I really struggle with that. Obviously, it cost me my Wimbledon final. He doesn’t need more of a motive to go out there and prove to someone he is the greatest of all time.”
The Djokovic-Wimbledon crowd situation goes beyond a simple case of booing. It’s a story about lingering loyalties, cultural differences, and the struggle for recognition in the face of prejudice.
