When one looks at the numbers of the men’s game, it’s hard not to marvel at Djokovic’s achievements—17 Grand Slam singles titles, a prime contender to be the longest-ranked No. 1 player in history (should he hold on to the ranking), a favourable head-to-head tally against both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and the only active player to hold all four slams at once. Nick Bollettieri, former coach to the likes of Andre Aggasi, Maria Sharapova and Boris Becker, describes him as ‘the most complete player of all time.’
Djokovic’s uncanny ability to turn doubt into conviction, and lack of support into a winning weapon, demonstrates the mental resolve of a fighter. The Serb, who came back from the brink of defeat to beat Federer in an unforgettable final set thriller for the Wimbledon crown in 2019, cited a multitude of techniques he used to train his mind. “When they said Roger, I imagined I heard Novak,” and that’s what kept him going.
The growing silverware and nail-biting victories haven’t improved the champion’s on-court behaviour or added to his popularity. Despite being a player with immense mental tenacity, Djokovic has been known to express his frustration with racquet smashes and altercations with umpires or crowds. For a player of his standing, the Serbian has had some excruciatingly close calls with being defaulted for poor conduct in the past. In 2016, during a Round Robin match in the ATP Finals, he accidentally flicked a ball into the stands after a game, and when asked about the incident, he snapped, “I haven’t been suspended, it didn’t hit anyone, did it?”
The incident
Sunday night at the U.S. Open, however, proved to be an unlucky swing. Djokovic walked off the court “sad and empty“, after having accidentally struck a line judge in the neck with a ball. His transgression, even if unintentional, was sufficient grounds for disqualification from the match, and from the tournament. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) released the following statement on the incident:
“In accordance with the Grand Slam rulebook, following his actions of intentionally hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences, the U.S. Open tournament referee defaulted Novak Djokovic from the 2020 U.S. Open. Because he was defaulted, Djokovic will lose all ranking points earned at the U.S. Open and will be fined the prize money won at the tournament in addition to any or all fines levied with respect to the offending incident.”
In terms of sheer results, Novak Djokovic’s 2020 season was hitherto proving to be one of the best of his career. Pundits remarked that the only one who could’ve stopped the in-form champion from another grand slam victory was himself. That’s what happened. The U.S. Open disqualification is once again reflective of a prevailing cynicism about Djokovic’s off-court tribulations and the more qualitative aspects of his career. While some attributed it to his unfortunate “knack for damaging himself,” others have been less charitable. Tennis legend John McEnroe detracted Djokovic and stressed on his absence at the mandatory press conference to take responsibility of the incident (something Djokovic eventually did in an Instagram post).
The controversies
The Serb has already courted multiple controversies in 2020. In February, after his Australian Open final victory, he faced a $30,000 fine for touching the chair umpire Damien Dumusois, saying “You made yourself famous in this match. Great Job.” Djokovic later apologised, insisting that it was a “friendly touch.” After the coronavirus pandemic halted all international sports events in April, the Serbian star expressed anti-vaxxer views. He said “Personally I am opposed to vaccination and I wouldn’t want to be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel.” Later he clarified that he wasn’t an expert on the issue and was simply “keeping an open mind.” While the pandemic was at its peak in June, Djokovic organised a tennis tournament in the Balkans despite other global sporting events remaining shut. Djokovic, his wife Jelena, and two other players tested positive for Covid-19 during this competition, which saw packed stands. It was eventually cancelled, and he issued an apology. Later he struck a more combative tone on the matter, denouncing the media’s witch-hunt of him.
In August, on the eve of the U.S. Open, Djokovic led a group of male players—including Vasek Pospisil and John Isner—in resigning from the ATP Player Council to form the breakaway Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), which claimed it would help players “have their voices heard.” Fellow top stars, including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray did not join the new association. Murray’s reluctance was based on the absence of female players, a point which drew widespread criticism, and highlighted Djokovic’s past opposition to equitable pay for female players.
Comparing Djokovic’s controversial 2020 to the rest of his career, an AFP article noted that, despite his achievements, Djokovic “appears doomed never to be held in the same saintly esteem as Federer or Rafael Nadal, the undisputed ‘people’s champions’ of tennis.” One cannot help but notice the downward spiral that Djokovic’s public standing has taken.
The antagonism
While incidents like the one on Sunday, or the Adria Tour he hosted in June, will fall squarely in Djokovic’s column of responsibility, at times the hate meted out to Djokovic seems unreasonable. Nick Kyrgios, leading Australian tennis player commented on Djokovic’s Adria Tour, “You can’t be dancing on tables, money-grabbing your way around Europe or trying to make a quick buck hosting the next exhibition. That’s just so selfish.” Kyrgios describes Djokovic’s post-match celebrations as “cringeworthy.”
The vilification seems to make the Serb stronger. Two years ago, he was outside the Top 20 for the first time in twelve years, with an elbow injury that had cast doubts on his success. Today, he’s back at the No.1 spot and seemingly undefeatable, but with no marked difference in his public image from the past, as though cursed with never achieving the god-like, larger than life status of his rivals. From the media criticising his broken English early in his career to the comments today about his politicisation of the sport with the PTPA, the scrutiny faced by Djokovic has never abated with the increasing accolades he’s achieved on court. While the records of the men’s game may move in his favour sooner or later, what Djokovic has lacked most is the respect accorded to his rivals.
Perhaps for this very reason he’s tried to be a crowd pleaser and to be loved, but he’s never successfully reinvented himself as the people’s champion. Djokovic’s demeanour is seldom well received, especially in the shadow of Federer and Nadal, both of whom have kept an exceptional persona on and off-court. Yes, the Djoker may posture as the unstoppable nemesis, capable of holding his own in the face of rival legends and hatred from crowds, but too much antagonism is never good. Even for the grittiest tennis player in history.
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