The Australian Open has been marred by controversy, with Novak Djokovic at the center of the storm.
The Serbian tennis superstar was booed by parts of the crowd after pulling out of his semifinal match against Alexander Zverev due to an injury. But was the reaction justified?
The Injury Debate
Djokovic’s decision to withdraw from the match sparked questions about the extent of his injury.
However, he later posted a scan of his leg online, which medical experts say showed an injury that required around six weeks of recovery.
It seems the crowd’s skepticism was misplaced.
A Joke Gone Wrong
The drama didn’t end there. Djokovic refused an on-court interview after his victory over Jiří Lehečka, protesting a joke made by veteran journalist Tony Jones on Channel 9’s coverage.
Jones later apologized, but the incident left a sour taste.
Troicki’s Scathing Criticism
Viktor Troicki, Serbia’s Davis Cup captain, has now weighed in on the controversy, slamming Australia’s treatment of Djokovic as “disrespectful and disappointing.”
He specifically targeted Tony Jones, saying he would have fired him immediately if he were in charge. “To mock an athlete during the tournament is unacceptable.
I don’t think an apology is enough. I think he should be banned for life from covering tennis,” Troicki told sports website Bolavip.
A Change in Attitude?
Troicki believes Melbourne’s attitude towards Djokovic has shifted since the COVID saga in 2022, when the Serbian champ was denied entry into the country despite being granted a visa.
Djokovic even claimed he had been ‘poisoned’ during that trip.
“I think they are treating Novak worse and worse. It is surprising and disappointing to see the greatest player of all time experiencing so many bad things happening in Australia again,” Troicki said.
Crowd Behavior Under Fire
The Australian Open crowd has also come under scrutiny for their rowdy and disrespectful behavior.
Troicki hit out at the booing of Djokovic after his injury, saying it was “really disrespectful and disappointing.”
He noted that even in football, where crowds can be wild, players are applauded and wished well when injured.
“That’s why it was surprising to see, especially in a place where he has played his best tennis and has won 10 titles, that he got booed after the injury.”