John McEnroe Criticizes Crowd’s Treatment of Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon

The electric atmosphere of Wimbledon has long been a hallmark of the prestigious tennis tournament, but at the 2023 Wimbledon final, the energy from the crowd took a sour turn. Novak Djokovic, one of the sport’s greatest champions, found himself at the center of a storm of boos and jeering from the audience during his high-stakes match against young Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz. The crowd, who seemed to clearly favor the up-and-coming Alcaraz, caused waves of controversy. However, it wasn’t just Djokovic who took note of the behavior—it was also tennis legend John McEnroe, who was highly critical of the way the crowd treated the seven-time Wimbledon champion.

McEnroe, known for his outspoken opinions both on and off the court, voiced his disapproval of how the crowd reacted to Djokovic’s efforts during the match. The American tennis icon, who has always been an advocate for players’ rights and fair treatment, expressed his astonishment at the lack of respect shown to Djokovic, particularly given the Serbian player’s remarkable achievements in the sport. In an interview, McEnroe explained that Djokovic’s accomplishments, including his 24 Grand Slam titles and his historic non-calendar year Grand Slam—a feat that no one, not even the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, had managed—warranted far more respect than he was receiving from the Wimbledon crowd.

McEnroe’s comments were directed not only at the treatment Djokovic received at Wimbledon but also at the broader narrative surrounding the Serbian player’s career. “Novak has not only matched but surpassed Federer and Nadal in terms of overall achievements, which seemed impossible,” McEnroe stated. He went on to explain that while both Federer and Nadal were widely revered and respected by fans around the world, Djokovic has often found himself cast as the villain of tennis. He pointed out that this was an unfair portrayal, a result of the media and public’s tendency to create heroes and villains for the sake of drama. McEnroe admitted that rivalries like Djokovic’s with Federer and Nadal could certainly benefit the sport, but he believed that Djokovic’s treatment, especially at Wimbledon, was unjust.

The clash between Djokovic and Alcaraz at the 2023 Wimbledon final was a thrilling match, with the younger Spaniard eventually emerging victorious. Yet, the crowd’s booing of Djokovic, particularly when he was engaged in such an intense five-set battle, seemed unwarranted and harsh. After the match, Djokovic responded by cupping his ears and blowing kisses to the audience, signaling that he was aware of the negative reception. However, the Serbian was fined for damaging the net post after the match, which seemed to add fuel to the fire of controversy surrounding the crowd’s behavior. Despite these challenges, Djokovic’s resilience shone through. His mental fortitude and the way he managed to stay focused in the face of adversity only served to highlight his greatness as an athlete.

McEnroe, who has seen the highs and lows of professional tennis firsthand, could not help but empathize with Djokovic. He emphasized how, despite all of his success, the Serbian star continues to face immense criticism, particularly in comparison to Federer and Nadal. McEnroe pointed out that both Federer and Nadal are admired universally for their achievements, but Djokovic, despite his unprecedented records, still receives an unfair amount of vilification. In fact, McEnroe believed that this treatment was not only wrong but detrimental to the sport as a whole, as Djokovic’s impact on tennis has been undeniable.

It’s not just about what Djokovic has accomplished on the court, but also how he has handled the adversity thrown his way. McEnroe praised Djokovic for his ability to turn perceived setbacks into motivation, making him a truly remarkable figure in tennis. “When people want to see the underdog or someone else win, he somehow uses that as motivation. That’s an incredible quality that should not be underestimated,” McEnroe said. Djokovic’s ability to keep his head in the game, despite being constantly under scrutiny, is one of the qualities that has helped him remain at the top of his sport for so many years. While some may view his on-court intensity as a sign of arrogance or hostility, McEnroe made it clear that Djokovic’s determination and willpower were to be admired.

As the 2024 Wimbledon tournament looms on the horizon, the 37-year-old Djokovic is already facing an uphill battle. While emerging stars like Alcaraz—who recently won the French Open—and newly ranked world number one, Jannik Sinner, are being hailed as favorites for the prestigious title, Djokovic’s name seems to be slipping under the radar. Yet, as McEnroe warned, underestimating Djokovic would be a huge mistake. Djokovic’s hunger to prove himself once again on the hallowed grass courts of Wimbledon, where he has already won seven titles, cannot be overlooked. In fact, Djokovic is determined to tie Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon titles and make history once more.

McEnroe acknowledged the challenge Djokovic faces in 2024 but emphasized that the Serbian is more than capable of overcoming any obstacles that lie ahead. Despite his recent setbacks, including a semi-final loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Australian Open and a quarterfinal exit at the French Open due to a knee injury, Djokovic remains one of the sport’s most resilient and mentally tough competitors. McEnroe believes that Djokovic’s ability to bounce back from adversity is part of what makes him such a unique player, and his desire to reclaim the Wimbledon trophy is a clear indication that he is far from done.

Should Djokovic win Wimbledon at 37 years old, he would not only become the oldest champion in the tournament’s history but also cement his place among the greatest athletes in the sport. As the 2024 Wimbledon begins, all eyes will be on the Serbian, with fans and pundits alike wondering whether he can defy expectations once more. One thing is for certain: John McEnroe’s praise of Djokovic’s resilience and ability to turn adversity into triumph will not be forgotten, and the tennis world will continue to be captivated by Djokovic’s pursuit of greatness.