Novak Djokovic dubbed ‘confrontational’ as Tim Henman weighs in on Serb’s antics
Novak Djokovic has been dubbed “confrontational” by four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist Tim Henman. The Serbian has clashed with followers throughout matches previously and has struggled to realize the identical type of adulation bestowed on the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal all through his profession.
Last month, Djokovic sarcastically applauded the Wimbledon crowd after they appeared to experience one among his wayward serves throughout his semi-final showdown with Jannik Sinner. And he cupped his ear to spectators after being booed throughout his defeat to Carlos Alcaraz within the closing.
Away from his conflicts on the courtroom, Djokovic was caught up in a frenzy of emotion when he was banned from final 12 months’s Australian Open and deported from Australia following his refusal to get the Covid-19 vaccination. And Henman believes Djokovic is somebody who might be divisive.
“He’s always been a character that has slightly divided opinion and that’s not always just because of his tennis and [could be down to] some of the decisions he has made off the court,” the 48-year-old informed Express Sport. “But having watched him a lot, he’s almost a confrontational character.
“So if he had 80 per cent of the crowd’s support I still think he is the type of person who would focus on the [other] 20 per cent and use it to motivate him, to fire himself up. I find it fascinating that he does sometimes focus on what seems like individuals in the crowd that maybe are against him.
“But whatever way he approaches it, you can’t deny it doesn’t work for him because his results have just been incredible.” Djokovic is essentially the most profitable males’s participant of all time after profitable a report 23 Grand Slam titles.
The 36-year-old defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas within the closing of this 12 months’s Australian Open earlier than getting the higher of Casper Ruud within the French Open showpiece occasion. But the veteran then got here unstuck in opposition to Alcaraz within the closing of Wimbledon after dropping a five-set thriller.
Djokovic and Alcaraz are the 2 frontrunners to win this 12 months’s US Open, which is ready to get underway on Monday. And Henman has tipped to Serbian to win the Flushing Meadows title for the fourth time of his profession.
“For me I’ve talked about the rivalry of Alcaraz and Djokovic,” added the previous British No 1. “Djokovic is, in my opinion, still the man to beat. We shouldn’t forget that he won the Australian Open, French Open, was in the final of Wimbledon in a fifth set. He hasn’t had a bad year. And given his experience in Slams and his ability on hard courts, I definitely think he’s the player to beat.”
The US Open returns solely to Sky Sports and NOW with entry to all courtroom feeds from 28 August.