Novak Djokovic recently faced some disrespectful behavior from a section of the crowd at Wimbledon, who used a chant for his opponent, Holger Rune, as an excuse to boo him. Despite winning the match convincingly, Djokovic felt that the crowd was disrespecting him by cheering for Rune and booing him.
This is not the first time Djokovic has had a complicated relationship with the Wimbledon crowd. In the past, he has faced similar situations where the fans have not been entirely supportive of him, even after his victories. Djokovic mentioned that he has been on the tour for over 20 years and is familiar with all the tricks that fans use to distract players.
During the match, Djokovic seemed unfazed by the crowd’s behavior, but he did acknowledge their actions during his on-court interview. He thanked the fans who showed respect and stayed to watch the match, emphasizing that he appreciates their support.
On the other hand, Holger Rune, Djokovic’s opponent, felt that the fans were simply chanting his name and that it did not affect the outcome of the match significantly. He clarified that if Djokovic had understood the situation correctly, he would have realized that the fans were chanting Rune’s name and not booing him.
It is not uncommon for sports fans to stretch out a player’s name during matches, as seen with other athletes like Andy Murray and Joe Root, who have experienced similar chants in the past. Djokovic, who is aiming for his eighth Wimbledon title, faced this situation with a sense of humor towards the end of his interview, wishing those who disrespected him a good night.
Despite trying to brush off the incident with humor, Djokovic later reiterated in a news conference that he stands by his reaction to the crowd’s behavior. He mentioned that when he feels the crowd is crossing a line, he will react, and he does not regret his words or actions on the court.
Looking ahead, Djokovic is set to face Australian player Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals. As he continues his pursuit of another Wimbledon title, Djokovic’s ability to stay focused despite external distractions will be put to the test. His experience and resilience on the court will play a crucial role in how he navigates future matches and handles potential crowd reactions.
