With the Canadian and Cincinnati Open finally concluded, we are now less than a week away from the official start of the US Open.
The final Grand Slam of the calendar year, it represents a last chance for most players to propel themselves up the rankings before the tennis season gradually starts to wind down.
Then, they will be afforded about a month’s rest, before they return to Melbourne ready to do it all over again.
Such is the unrelenting nature of this sport, it seems only right for the final major to be such an energetic one, with the US Open having been revered for its electric atmosphere that is unlike any other tennis event.
However, there is also a dark side to this, which players have not been afraid to criticise over the years.
Novak Djokovic complains about US Open spectator
Naturally, as someone who has enjoyed the role of the pantomime villain over the years, Novak Djokovic has had his fair share of bust-ups with the New York crowd.
However, despite having largely won them over given his years of service to the sport, and having claimed four US Open titles, he is not exempt from a lack of respect from some fans.
In fact, as recently as last year he was quoted complaining about the crowd, as he claimed: ‘Yeah, he did [cause a distraction].
‘He was actually in the box where some of my friends were. I don’t know who the guy was, but yeah, I was pretty annoyed by him at that point. I was communicating with my friends to have a little chat with him.’
This was in reference to one supporter who was shouting out during his quarter-final win over Taylor Fritz; clearly an over-exuberant American seeking to give his compatriot the upper hand.
Djokovic complained about fans at Wimbledon earlier this summer as well, so should expect even worse in the coming weeks.
Daniil Medvedev has a complicated relationship with New York
Another former winner of the event, who actually claimed the title over Djokovic in 2021, Daniil Medvedev’s relationship with the New York crowd has been a rocky one.
After all, back in 2019, he unleashed one of the all-time post-match interviews on court, speaking as the crowd booed him: ‘First of all, what can I say? Thank you guys, because your energy tonight gave me the win.
‘The energy you’ve given me right now, guys, I think it will be enough for my five next matches. The more you do this, the more I will win for you guys.’
Then, last year he also had issues with a fan, telling one spectator to ‘shut up,’ asking: ‘Are you stupid or what?’
Nick Kyrgios unsurprisingly had issues at US Open
As someone renowned for lashing out at the crowd, Nick Kyrgios has also not been afraid to vocalise his anger at the US Open.
His most recent outburst came on the court in 2022, when he complained of one dubious smell that was infiltrating his court mid-way through the match.
Speaking to the umpire, he exclaimed: ‘You don’t want to remind anyone not to do it or anything?
‘It was smoke. Obviously I’m not going to complain about food smells, obviously not.’
Rafael Nadal was not happy with crowd noise
Finally, and perhaps most surprisingly, Rafael Nadal is another who has complained about the crowds in the past.
As a laser-focused athlete who thrives on upholding his ridiculous levels of concentration, a crowd like New York’s was never bound to mix well with the Spaniard.
So, it should come as no shock to see him claim in 2017: ‘Being honest, it (the noise) is a little bit too much.
‘The energy and support of the crowd is massive. I enjoy it and I have unforgettable memories from this tournament and this court, because the energy is different from in other places.
‘But at the same time, under the roof, it’s too much noise. I was not able to hear the ball when hitting.
‘I understand it’s a show, but under the roof we need to be a little bit more strict about the noise. All the noise stays inside, and this is difficult.’
Still, winning four US Open titles despite this complaint marks an admirable return.
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