Novak Djokovic’s charisma was positively lacking, even in a temple like Wimbledon Centre Court docket, the place the seraphic ambiance was first shattered by Holger Rune’s followers and their Ruuuuune, then by the sarcastic statements of the Serbian champion towards teh Dane’s followers. You’ll be able to love or not Djokovic, however his charisma is sort of a breath of recent air in a yr of tennis Tour the place gamers who’ve the charisma of the Serb have been lacking. A charisma like that of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Tennis is an excellent sport, for its composed class and elegance, however let’s face it; a little bit of controversy and tackiness – in small doses – are good for our favourite sport.
After the phrases shared on-court and on the press convention, many followers and insiders harshly attacked the Serb for his response, thought-about exaggerated for the context.
John McEnroe defended Djokovic, putting him in a broader context by which he in contrast him to Federer, Nadal and…Darth Vader!
“He is Darth Vader to some folks. Look, you could have two of the best elegant champions we have ever seen play tennis. Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer. Who can examine to them by way of what they convey to the desk and the way folks love them? No person. After which this man, Djokovic, has the nerve to return in and crash the get together. He is been preventing towards that his entire profession. Yeah, he feeds off of unfavourable power. And yeah, I used to feed off of that typically. However I sort of hated it. You need folks to yell at you and hope you lose? Simply since you’re so good they begin rooting for the opposite man for no motive apart from you are so good. That is why individuals are towards him for my part. It is simple to be the backseat driver and let it go. However that is what he is been coping with for 10, 15, 20 years, that folks have performed this.
I love the braveness he needed to say it there. It takes one thing. In a approach, that is going to show extra folks towards him. He does not deserve it at this level. We’d like him and he is been too large for our sport, for my part. So it is like: How about you respect me in any case this? Take into consideration this, here is a man who had surgical procedure a month in the past. The chances have been 10 or 20 % that he would play this match. He is pondering: I am serving to this match. And he is doing that. Why do not I get some love once I play a man who’s 15 on the planet? Who hasn’t performed a rattling factor in comparison with him. Yeah, possibly there have been a handful of Danes saying Rune and I perceive that folks wish to see a great sport. All of us wish to see a great sport. However it’s a must to respect the greatness you see” defined the American legend.
John McEnroe colleges Clare Balding on Novak Djokovic calling out the booing towards him at Wimbledon (and all through his profession).
Clare Balding: “What would you say to him now?”
John McEnroe: “Effectively performed.” pic.twitter.com/UQDYVRvbpL— James Melville 🚜 (@JamesMelville) July 9, 2024
