It is fair to say that Novak Djokovic hasn’t quite been the media’s ‘darling child’ over the years. With several controversies such as not taking the Covid-19 vaccine or his constant feud with fans and chair umpires, Djokovic has copped the negative attention of the media over the years. This created a major myth that he is unfriendly with the media and that they (especially the Western media) are biased against him. In a recent act of kindness, Djokovic smashed that myth.
It involved a reporter for Eurosport, talking to him about the Monte-Carlo Masters 2024. Novak Djokovic was speaking to a female journalist, who found herself in a fortunate position to be wearing Djokovic’s jacket. The Eurosport reporter was interviewing Djokovic outdoors, on what was an elevated area beside the Monte Carlo Country Club courts.
At that elevation, at this time of the year, Monte Carlo, Roqueburne-Cap-Martin can get very cold, with temperatures dropping below 15* Celsius as well. As the lady was feeling cold, Djokovic acted as a gentleman and gave her his jacket.
“I’m lucky enough to be with Novak, who is a gentleman, because it’s very cold here. You would think its super hot,” said the reporter.
This kind gesture goes a long way in proving that the media has wrongly labelled Djokovic many tags over the years even though Djokovic was responsible for a lot of controversies. But in this case, Djokovic was friendly and jovial throughout the whole interview.
In the interview, Djokovic touched upon points such as how has it been like living in Monte Carlo and how special the Monte Carlo Masters has been for him as a tournament. The World No.1 also spoke about his equation with Rafael Nadal and having a ‘one final go’ at each other before retiring in French Open. He was nothing but kind and gentlemanly throughout.
Novak Djokovic knows how to deal with the media
While on the one hand, Djokovic is kind, generous, and friendly towards the media, on the other hand, he also knows how to properly give it back when they are looking for controversies. Djokovic was asked a pointed question by media personnel during a recent press conference.
The journalist from Eurosport Italy asked, “If you’re kind of scared of facing another Italian, considering that you lost with Sinner in Australia and with Nardi in Indian Wells?”
The journalist was referring to the fact that Djokovic lost his only two matches this year against the Italians. Sinner ended his journey in the Australian Open and then Luca Nardi shocked him in the Indian Wells round of 32 encounters. With boisterous confidence, Djokovic gave the reporter a strong reply, one that befits the player with the most Grand Slams in the history of the game.
Djokovic said, “I’m not scared of anything in anybody. But I really hope that I can get the chance to play him again…”
Djokovic was instead looking forward to another Jannik Sinner encounter. He was full of praises for the young sensation, who has taken the tennis world by storm.
This press conference took place after Djokovic defeated Roman Safiullin 6-1, 6-2 in the round of 32 clash of the Monte-Carlo Masters 2024.
