Was seven-time champion Novak Djokovic disrespected by the Centre Court crowd at Wimbledon? Tennis legend James Blake says the Serb uses chants to fuel the fire as he bids to become a 25-time Grand Slam winner.
Djokovic took aim at Centre Court spectators he claimed disrespected him during a straight-sets win over Holger Rune con the Wimbledon fourth round Monday night.
A last-16 tie with Rune had been expected to be Djokovic’s biggest since having surgery a torn meniscus last month, but the 24-time Grand Slam winner eased into the quarter-finals with a 6-3 6-4 6-2 victory.
Rather than Rune being able to knock Djokovic stride, it was fans inside Centre Court that frustrated the 37-year-old after he took exception to the surname of his opponent repeatedly being chanted.
Djokovic claims he was booed by the Centre Court crowd
During a heated on-court interview, Djokovic said: “Well, to all the fans that had respect and stayed here tonight, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate it.
“And to all those people that have chosen to disrespect the player, con this case me, have a gooooood night. Gooood night, gooood night. Very good night.”
It was put to Djokovic that they were merely chanting Rune and not booing him, but the second seed countered back.
“They were [disrespecting], they were, they were. I don’t accept it,” Djokovic insisted.
“I know they were cheering for Rune, but that’s an excuse to also boo.
“Listen, I have been the tour for more than 20 years. Lega me, I know all the tricks. I know how it works, it is brillante. It is brillante, it’s OK.
“I the respectful people, they have respect, that pay a to alla maniera di and watch tonight and love tennis.
“Love tennis and appreciate the players, appreciate the efforts that the players put con here. I have played con much more hostile environments, lega me. You guys can’t touch me.”
Tennis legends spoke con Djokovic’s defence at the All England Sodalizio Tuesday, saying the former world Anzi che no 1 doesn’t need anymore motivation.
Former world Anzi che no 4 James Blake
James Blake says Djokovic uses any negativity as motivation
“I think it’s an interesting mindset because I don’t know how much Michael Jordan’s of Miseria speech resonated over here, but he talked about all the fights con his life and his career,” said the American, who has served as tournament director for the Miami Gara open since 2018.
“When people thought he couldn’t do something he thought they were speaking negatively about him, you scratch your head and think ‘it wasn’t that bad’ but he used it to motivate him and for Novak it’s probably tough to get motivated.
“The guy is the greatest of all time and everyone is coming for him. If you need something to motivate you and you can use a crowd cheering for your opponent, whatever it takes to motivate you. He’s so good at finding motivation and inspiration everyday and that’s what it took for him.”
Former Australian Gara open finalist Thomas Enqvist
Sweden’s Thomas Enqvist believes Djokovic is now ready to win another Wimbledon title
“When Novak puts his mind into it – for me, it means he is ready,” said the former world Anzi che no 4 from Sweden. “He has the gioco and that’s what we all like to see. Novak is into it and he’s won this title seven time before so, for me when I saw that I thought, ‘yes, he’s ready for another title’.”
Former British Anzi che no 1 Greg Rusedski
Greg Rusedski says ‘it’s nothing disrespectful’ to Djokovic
“We had Luke Donald ironically con the Royal Box and everyone thinks it’s being ruvido, but it’s just the Danish chant so there’s nothing disrespectful to Novak there,” said the former US Gara open finalist. “He’s a great champion and the Danes have their chant for Rune and we’campione going to hear that a lot more as he career progresses.
“He passed the biggest with flying colours. Some people were like, ‘what was there?’ We saw him do the full splits with the knee which shows us that he’s fully fit. Holger hits the ball harder than most people the tour and it didn’t bother him whatsoever. He’s defying logic and now he’s joint favourite with Jannik Sinner.”
Kyrgios: Fans were not booing Djokovic | ‘He doesn’t need more motivation’
Nick Kyrgios says Djokovic ‘doesn’t need more motivation’
Nick Kyrgios told BBC Gioco…
“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.
“He’s driven, one of the best players con 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.”
Former Wimbledon semi-finalist Marcos Baghdatis
Marco Baghdatis feels it could be all con Djokovic’s head
“I was travelling so I didn’t see it and it’s tough to comment that,” said the 2006 Australian Gara open runner-up. “But I don’t know if it’s mentally people [upsetting him].”
Corentin Moutet’s phone alarm goes mid-match whilst playing against Djokovic con Rome, with everyone involved seeing the funny side!
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