Former three-time Grand Slam champion Lindsay Davenport suggests Novak Djokovic’s recent actions could be justified over the simple fact that the crowd is always trying to make him “the villain out there” and that the 37-year-old “has had enough” of having to deal with such treatments even there is not a clear reason for spectators to act toward him that way.
On Monday, Djokovic delivered his most impressive performance at this year’s Wimbledon to routinely beat former world No. 4 Holger Rune 6-3 6-4 6-2 in the Wimbledon round-of-16. But after the match, the main focus wasn’t on Djokovic’s great performance but on a viral moment the Serb had with the crowd.
Throughout the match, Djokovic was hearing the long “Ruuuuune” chants. He wasn’t happy about that and not because the crowd was cheering for Rune but because he was certain that they were actually booing him in an indirect way. And after sending Rune packing out of Wimbledon, Djokovic had a long “good night” for the same people who were giving him cheeky Rune chants.
To all the fans that have respect and have stayed here tonight, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate it. And to all those people who have chosen to disrespect a player – in this case, me – have a goooood night,” Djokovic told the crowd after the Rune match.
Davenport: Djokovic has had enough, always the villain out there…
Davenport, whose one of three Grand Slam titles came at Wimbledon in 1999, agreed with Djokovic that the Wimbledon crowd wasn’t fair that way and went as far as to slam their hostile treatment as “terrible.”
Also, former world No. 1 Davenport noted that Djokovic has been dealing with this stuff for pretty much his entire career and suggests that it shouldn’t be surprising to see the record 24-time Grand Slam champion reacting in certain ways.
I think he’s just had enough, I think it’s not easy to always be the villain out there. Obviously in the age of Rafa [Nadal] and Roger [Federer], it just always seemed like the crowd was always against him. And not even against him, but like 90 to 95% for the other player,” Davenport said on Tennis Channel’s podcast.
“And I think he’s just tired of it. I think it’s not easy also when your kids are in the stands. I think also when you’re doing everything you can to still stay around in the sport, you do everything to help try and grow it.
“You’ve just had surgery, he’s out there, like really? He’s had it. Honestly, I don’t blame him and I think, you know, good for him. It’s just so odd because he does so much good as well off the court. And now it’s almost like, it seems like it’s cool to cheer against him or whatever, and it’s terrible. He’s done amazing things.”
Davenport on Djokovic: You may not like it but he is the GOAT
At the end of her message, the American tennis legend declared Djokovic “the greatest of all time.”
“He’s gonna go down statistically — whether people like it or not — as the greatest player who’s ever lived, male or female. It’s insane when you look at all of his numbers. I mean at 37 also, let’s give it up for him,” Davenport added.
Meanwhile, Djokovic didn’t buy one theory that was given to him after the Rune match. After Djokovic shaded the Wimbledon crowd, a BBC presenter tried to calm down the tension between the Serb and the crowd by explaining that there was nothing more than support behind the long Rune chants.
But Djokovic didn’t believe that for a second as he underlined that he was around for a very long time and therefore knows all tricks and dirty stuff.
I don’t accept it. No. I know they were cheering for Rune, but that’s an excuse to also boo. Listen, I’ve been on the tour for more than 20 years, so trust me, I know all the tricks. I know how it works. It’s fine, it’s OK. I focus on the respectful people, who have respect, that paid the ticket to come and watch tonight, and love tennis and appreciate the players and the effort that the players put in here. I’ve played in a much more hostile environment, trust me. You guys can’t touch me,” Djokovic added on the court.
After the incident with the crowd, Djokovic didn’t play his quarterfinal match on Wednesday after Alex de Minaur gave him a walkover due to injury.
