Novak Djokovic certainly didn’t have the dream ending that he envisioned at the Australian Open, having retired hurt in the semi-finals.
Djokovic was booed by fans as he left Rod Laver Arena, having ended his final four meeting with Alexander Zverev early due to injury.
The 37-year-old was chasing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, along with a 100th ATP Tour title.
Djokovic congratulated champion Jannik Sinner, with the message proving just how professional the Serbian remains even in unfortunate circumstances.
He does, however, comfortably remain top of the pile for Australian Open men’s singles titles, with 10 victories at the event throughout his career.
Many tennis fans against Novak Djokovic Australian Open statue idea
And that success has now resulted in Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley calling for a Djokovic statue to be built at Melbourne Park in his honour.
It is a suggestion that has prompted a mixed reaction from tennis fans, with one negative response emerging on X: “Totally unnecessary. I hope Novak will thank them and ask them not to do it. Novak is not playing for statues and idolising.”
READ MORE: Who is Novak Djokovic? Step inside the life of the 24-time Grand Slam champion
A second fan against the idea said: “Yeah lucky Tiley has no say in that ever happening. He runs a tournament, he doesn’t run the Olympic Park precinct. Novak is probably going to go down as the GOAT but the only statues in the precinct should be for Aus sporting icons. Serbia can build a 50-foot statue for him.”
A third fan agreed with the Australian player argument, while another wrote: “I’m sure if it went to a public vote there would be no statue for Novax.”
Other fans back Craig Tiley’s idea for Novak Djokovic statue at Melbourne Park
But there was also support for Tiley, who serves as the current CEO of Tennis Australia and was labelled ‘the best tournament director in the world’ by Zverev in his losing post-match speech.
One fan strongly in favour of the idea said on X: “A totally deserving and brilliant idea. No matter where you stand on liking him or not, it cannot be disputed that Djokovic absolutely deserves to be commemorated at Melbourne Park with a statue.”
A second concurred: “Statue for 10-time AO champion yes yes yes,” with another in agreement saying: “He deserves it. The legend.”
And another fan backing Tiley commented: “He deserves it after winning 10 titles at Melbourne Park, he is the king.”
Could Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray be honoured with Grand Slam statues?
Commemorations such as statues and the naming of venues after legendary figures are, of course, commonplace in tennis and indeed the entire sporting world.
The likes of Rod Laver and Margaret Court both have courts named after them at Melbourne Park, while Fred Perry has a statue at Wimbledon.
Nick Kyrgios wants an Andy Murray statue at SW19, given his efforts both on and off the court in respect of the tournament.
The Scot, who won Wimbledon twice, has, of course, turned to coaching former rival Djokovic since his retirement last year.
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