Novak Djokovic and the Wimbledon crowd are a perfect match made in tennis heaven, each elevating the other to unmatchable heights. While this year’s Wimbledon was full of sledging and light-hearted fun, recently, as the Serb stepped down to play the final against Carlos Alcaraz, a local fan mocked him with a message from the crowd.
A fan at a recent tournament attracted everyone’s attention by donning a t-shirt that ridiculed the 24-time Grand Slam champion in a lighthearted manner, drawing amusement from the spectators. The Serbian tennis star, rather than taking offense, was moved to grin at the humorous joke and express gratitude for the enthusiasm and humor of his fans.
Apparently, the fan’s t-shirt read loudly, “Have a goooooooood match,” bringing in an old connection from the event this year. A few days earlier, during his Wimbledon match against Holger Rune, Djokovic confronted a portion of the crowd, believing they were jeering him and displaying “disrespect.”
Rune’s name had been extended by the audience, who were yelling “Rooooooooooon,” which Djokovic saw as a slight or perceived as booing. After winning the match, he replied to them, “Have a Goooood Night!” and repeated it to show how frustrated he was. In response to the host’s attempt to justify the audience’s behavior by implying that they were only cheering on his rival, Djokovic shook his head angrily.
He stated, “They were, they were. I don’t accept it. No, no, no. They were cheering for Rune, but they were also booing me. I have been playing on this tour for 20 years and I know how it works.” Djokovic, who has advanced to nine SW19 finals, is aiming to capture a shared record eighth Wimbledon men’s trophy.
He hasn’t always had a cordial relationship with the crowd, though. Throughout his career, he has had varying emotions from the public; Djokovic frequently encountered hostile or uninterested times, particularly while fighting against well-known opponents. On the other hand, Djokovic, who was supposed to face Australian ninth seed Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals, also opened up about why sometimes, he doesn’t try to run away from the situation.
Novak Djokovic’s thoughts on dealing with the Wimbledon crowd
After the quarter-final win, while addressing the crowd’s reaction, he displayed a light-hearted demeanor, suggesting that despite the tension, he was ready to move forward with a positive mindset. To deal with the booing crowd he said, “To all those people that have chosen to disrespect the player – in this case me – have a goooooooood night.”
However, in a subsequent interview with BBC Sport, Djokovic reaffirmed his position over the conduct of the audience, standing by his earlier remarks. He added, “When I feel a crowd is stepping over the line, I react. I don’t regret my words or actions on the court.” His conviction demonstrates his dedication to upholding a standard of decency during contests, emphasizing the value he places on the environment and the encouragement he receives while participating.
Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on the Serb’s equation with the crowd? Do let us know in the comment section below.
