Novak Djokovic is Wimbledon’s villain – but boo him at your peril
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After last year's Wimbledon final, some people may have thought that Novak Djokovic losing to Carlos Alcaraz meant things were starting to change. Djokovic, aiming for his fifth Wimbledon title in a row, was defeated in an intense five-set match, his first loss at the Championships since 2017. Despite facing the end of his dominance at the All England Club, Djokovic was humble, praising Alcaraz sincerely. It was surprising to see such a fierce competitor accept defeat with grace, showing a "win some, lose some" attitude to the Centre Court audience after so many wins.
Instead of showing a move towards a more mutually respectful relationship, the opposite has actually happened. During Monday night's match where Djokovic beat Holger Rune in the fourth round, the seven-time champion publicly criticized some members of the Wimbledon crowd for being disrespectful. Rune was cheered on with shouts of "Ruuuuuuune!" but it was noted that the cheers sounded more like "Boooooooo!".
After playing against Rune multiple times before, Djokovic probably knew that the crowd's reaction towards the Dane was nothing out of the ordinary. However, Djokovic decided to embrace the boos and use them as motivation to elevate his performance and move closer to winning an eighth title.
Djokovic energetically engaging with the audience, especially the loudest sections, was a memorable moment in his Wimbledon history. When he said, "I've played in much tougher places, believe me, you all can't faze me," it seemed like a dare to those who root against him, and the SW19 crowd seemed to accept it after his easy victory over Italian Lorenzo Musetti. This time, the jeers were clear.
Djokovic is pulling out all the stops to motivate himself, even though he seems more laid-back than ever off the court. His children, aged eight and six, are attending his matches at Wimbledon. In between games, he is playing with his kids on the practice courts and celebrating victories by pretending to play the violin, fulfilling a promise he made to his daughter.
At 37 years old, Djokovic has won a record 24 grand slam titles. He seems to be unconcerned with the fact that he doesn't receive the same amount of admiration from the crowd as his old competitors Federer and Nadal once did. Djokovic appears content with his own accomplishments and is no longer hiding behind a mask.
Alternatively, it will be until Sunday night when he aims to equal Federer's Wimbledon record of eight men's singles titles. Djokovic is not the only athlete who uses external noise and challenges as motivation. Michael Jordan famously used trash talk from opponents and criticism as fuel to lead the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships. The recent release of the 'Last Dance' documentary showcasing Jordan's relentless winning mentality has inspired a new generation of athletes. For example, England and Jude Bellingham have discussed how they use perceived negativity surrounding their performances at Euro 2024 as motivation, even when the team is not performing at its best.
It's not surprising that Djokovic has developed a defensive mindset after entering the tennis scene dominated by Federer and Nadal, two of the most popular players in history, and then surpassing them both. It took Djokovic 15 years to reach the top of the grand slam rankings after winning the French Open in 2023 to claim 23 titles. Many of his most memorable wins came when he faced off against Federer or Nadal and triumphed against the odds. Although it has been two years since Nadal played at Wimbledon and three since Federer competed in the Championships, Djokovic still faces a mixed reception from fans. While he has devoted supporters cheering him on, there are also many rooting for his opponents, hoping for an upset. Djokovic's success has made him a target for those looking to see him dethroned.
During his most successful period, Djokovic tried to win the audience over by celebrating and showing love after matches. However, this was seen as insincere and forced. As he has gotten older and secured his place in history with the grand slam record, Djokovic has become more authentic. He has consistently outperformed the younger players, earning respect for his exceptional level of play. Whether or not he wins the crowd's love no longer seems to be a priority for Djokovic.
At the age of 37, it is becoming increasingly clear that Djokovic's chances of winning more grand slam titles are dwindling. This realization was highlighted before this year's Wimbledon, especially after he had to withdraw from the French Open quarter-final last month due to a knee surgery. Despite this setback, Djokovic managed to make a remarkable recovery and reach his 49th grand slam semi-final at Wimbledon. His comeback from injury to compete in the tournament was seen as one of the greatest achievements of his career. If he were to win the title, it would be considered an extraordinary feat, especially considering the tough competition, including Alcaraz and Medvedev. Medvedev even described Alcaraz as one of the greatest opponents he has ever faced after losing to him in the semi-finals.
When Djokovic is showing a calmer side outside of the tennis court, once he steps on the court, he is still as focused and driven as before. Djokovic mentioned this week that the pressure and stress during matches is as intense as it has always been for him. However, he embraces this pressure as motivation to work harder towards regaining his position at the top.
