Novak Djokovic may have stunned many with his tennis last night, but it was what he said after that truly captured the headlines.
In an interview only aired this morning on BBC Sport, we got to see how the 24-time Grand Slam champion reacted to last night’s events just an hour or so after they had concluded.
His immediate Wimbledon interview, conducted on the court, saw him mock and later lambast Holger Rune’s fanbase for disguising their boos within their chants of ‘Rune’.
Despite the interviewer attesting they were not seeking to disrespect him, Novak Djokovic was indignant.
It was clear that this did not disappear in the moments following the match either.
Novak Djokovic storms out of Wimbledon interview
BBC reporter Sam Harris asked: ‘Your post-match reaction speaking about some members of the crowd being disrespectful. On reflection how do you feel now?’
‘The same,’ replied Djokovic.
Harris returned: ‘You’re seven-time champion here. Do you feel you get the respect you deserve?’
The 37-year-old then combed over similar points to the ones he exercised whilst on court: ‘Look as I said in my post-match interview I thanked most the people in the stadium tonight were respectful, I thank them and I know that watching all day tennis, it is not easy to stay.
‘I was thankful, I don’t take it for granted, they are a big part in why I still play the crowds and people who really appreciate the tennis players and what we do and the efforts that we put in, we appreciate them paying for tickets and them supporting us and tennis. So I try to acknowledge that.
‘But when I feel the crowd is stepping over the line I react and I don’t react my words or my actions on the court.
However, when seeking to ask yet another question about the crowd, Djokovic was having none of it: ‘Do you have any other questions other than the crowd? I mean, you have focused only on that. Or any questions about the match? Or is it solely focused on that? This is the third question already, I have said what I have to say.’
A follow-up question on Alex de Minaur was met with a short reply, before the world number two simply got up and walked away…
Novak Djokovic cannot escape Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer
Ironically, after such a head loss, Djokovic outlined what he felt affected Rune ‘mentally’ which separated them last night.
It seems that even with Roger Federer’s retirement and Rafael Nadal‘s steady decline, Djokovic still cannot escape the shadow with which he was born into the sport under.
The rivalry between the Swiss and the Spaniard is a legendary one, and their on-court battles soon transcended the sport, as their relationship blossomed into one of friendship and mutual respect.
They know that they changed the game together, and are comfortable with their achievements even if they would always have wanted more.
However, Djokovic arrived as the party crasher, and fans didn’t like that.
So, his entire career has been burdened by this label, whether justified or not, and he seemingly is not content shedding it by simply continuing to perform without them.
No matter the titles, the accolades, the awards and the adulation, it seems that he will always have this chip on his shoulder. It is somewhat expected, given the scrutiny he has faced, but his reaction to Rune and his fanbase has been questionable thus far.
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