Novak Djokovic is unlikely to forget the 2024 Wimbledon Championships – for good and bad reasons.
After defying medical logic by hauling himself off the treatment table after knee surgery on June 5 to play in the tournament at the All England Club, Djokovic’s run to the final was a remarkable feat.
He may have been soundly beaten in that final against Carlos Alcaraz, but the impressive grit he displayed in a run that included five wins despite his lack of match practice on grass prior to the event was a heroic effort for the 37-year-old serial winner.
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Yet this year’s Wimbledon will also be remembered for the storm that exploded around Djokovic during his match against Holger Rune.
A last-16 tie with Rune had been expected to be Djokovic’s biggest test since having surgery on 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 off stride, it was fans inside Centre Court who frustrated the iconic champion after he took exception to the surname of his opponent repeatedly being chanted.
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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, in 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 on the tour for more than 20 years. Trust me, I know all the tricks. I know how it works, it is fine. It is fine, it’s OK.
“I focus on the respectful people, they have respect, who pay a ticket to come and watch tonight and love tennis.
“Love tennis and appreciate the players, appreciate the efforts that the players put in here. I have played in much more hostile environments, trust me. You guys can’t touch me.”
Djokovic’s reaction to the cheers for Rune was unfortunate and offered a further glimpse into how sensitive he is to criticism after so many years of negative reaction from fans, especially at Wimbledon.
In my opinion, the primary reason why Djokovic believed the chants for Rune were disguised boos for him was due to years of being battered by fans who have refused to accept his brilliance and show him the respect he believes he is due.
John McEnroe and Nick Kyrgios were among the tennis giants who backed Djokovic’s decision to strike back at the Centre Court fans, but others viewed his reaction as a mark of his petulance as they cemented their already negative view of the Serbian.
Yet those who were quick to slam Djokovic after his negative reaction against Rune should also remember the grace he showed as he dealt with his crushing defeat against Alcaraz in Sunday’s final.
Four-time Wimbledon semi-finalists Tim Henman described Alcaraz’s straight sets win over Djokovic as ‘inhalation’ and he was not mistaken, as the young Spaniard had far too much firepower for his legendary opponent.
Yet Djokovic confirmed once again that he can show humility amid his disappointment with a warm embrace for Alcaraz on the court and kind words for his opponent after the match.
“I was inferior on the court,” he Djokovic. “That’s it. He was a better player. He played every single shot better than I did.
“I did all I could to prepare myself for this match and this tournament in general. If someone told me I would play Wimbledon finals three, four weeks ago, I would taken it for sure.
“Of course, I do feel disappointed. It’s a bitter taste to lose the finals the way I did today. I can always be self-critical, which I am. I can always find the flaws, which I can already see.
“I don’t think that would change too much the course of the match, to be honest. From the very beginning, you could see he was at least half a step better than I am in every way.
“I also feel like, in a match-up today against the best player right now in the world for sure, other than Jannik, and both of them are the best this year by far, I’m not at that level.”
It would have been easy for Djokovic to cut short his on-court interview amid his disappointment, while he could also have been less forthcoming with the media in his press conference that followed.
Yet Djokovic appreciates he is one of the leaders in our sport and he showed class in the way he spoke about Alcaraz and came to terms with the most crushing defeat he has suffered at Wimbledon for many years.
Overall, the player who was on the operating table just three weeks before the start of Wimbledon has to be proud of his run to the final and while he made a big mistake in his behaviour around the Rune match, it is a little more understandable when you reflect on his history with Wimbledon crowds.
In the end, Djokovic finished Wimbledon with the Centre Court crowd chanting his name, with his big mistake against Rune seemingly put down to a case of mistaken identity.
Djokovic will be back for another shot at Wimbledon a year from now and if he is fully fit, he will believe a record-equaling eighth title could still be his.