Novak Djokovic is without a doubt one of the best players tennis has seen. A long list of achievements and, simultaneously, a long list of controversies are credited to his name. He has found himself amidst a fair share of controversies, whether on or off the court. From questionable statements to indisputably phenomenon strokes on court, Nole has seen it all.
Although he has fallen victim to criticism from both fans and fellow players, Djokovic has always faced all of it head-on and with sheer confidence. This is also what makes him the favorite of a huge chunk of the audience. In this article, we will delve into some of his most renowned controversies.
The COVID-19 Widespread at the Adria Tour
The charity event was orchestrated by Djokovic to raise funds for charitable causes and bring tennis to the Balkan region. The charitable cause did bring in a lot of media coverage, but for all the wrong reasons.
The lack of social distancing and players contracting the COVID-19 virus brought in negative comments and reactions. Along with Djokovic and his pregnant wife, who themselves tested positive, the event was a huge flop and a source of controversy.
He faced widespread criticism from fans and activists all over the world. The incident not only faced backlash but also questioned the player’s responsibility in a time of pure panic.
The disqualification at the US Open
Another one from the list of his famous controversies is the disqualification he faced at the US Open after hitting a line judge in the neck with a ball.
In a moment of questionable and temperamental action, Djokovic hit the ball at the back of the court in frustration during a fourth-round match. That ball, unfortunately, instead of hitting the wall, struck a line judge.
As a result, Djokovic was disqualified from the tournament. The Serbian apologized to the line judge later. He faced a lot of criticism over his conduct on the court from fans and tennis experts alike
His anti-vaccination drama
Novak Djokovic faced a lot of criticism and backlash for his stance on getting vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. In an interview with the BBC, the Serb said he was “willing to pay the price” of not getting vaccinated.
Djokovic said he was willing to miss playing grand slams but wouldn’t get vaccinated. Earlier that year, Djokovic was deported from Australia on the grounds of “health and good order” and his visa was canceled.
He faced backlash and was questioned about how he failed to recognize the importance of public health measures. Nole expressed his dissatisfaction and said his personal decision to not get vaxed shouldn’t be getting him into controversies with activists.
His political message at the French Open this year
At the French Open this year, Djokovic scrawled the following on a camera lens: “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the Violence”
Serbia has never acknowledged Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence, and violence has lately erupted in the nation’s north. Serbia has forces stationed close to the border, and there are worries that the bloody conflict of 1998–1999 will recur.
Djokovic, when asked to comment on the backlash, said: “I’m aware that a lot of people would disagree, but it is what it is. It’s something that I stand for. So that’s all.”
His relationship with the crowd
It is no secret that Nole is not a fan favorite. Whether it is at Wimbledon or the French Open, the crowd is known to boo and discourage points Djokovic scores over his opponent. The ardent and loyal fans of Roger and Nadal have always made it a point to let their anger and hatred known.
When asked about his bad relationship with the crowd, Djokovic said: “It’s hard to not be aware of the crowd. At times you just try to ignore it, which is quite hard. I like to transmutate it in a way: When the crowd is chanting ‘Roger’ I hear ‘Novak’. It sounds silly, but it is like that. I try to convince myself that it’s like that. It’s similar ‘Roger’ and ‘Novak!’.”
Novak Djokovic says that the fact that he gets the most negative comments on social media doesn’t surprise him.
Recent research conducted by World Sports Network revealed that on the men’s tour,Djokovic received the most negative tweets as almost one in five of tweets (15%)… https://t.co/5ZCHHGTODT
— Tennis Puneet 🎾 📚 (@TennisPuneet) May 30, 2023
As much as Novak is known for his game on the court, he is also known for his tantrums and arguments on the court as well. Known for his temperamental and “childish” attitude, Djokovic has had his fair share of backlash, and rightly so, for his unsportsmanlike behavior.