A journalist working with the ATP Tour slammed Novak Djokovic for conducting the crowds’ boos during his fourth-round match at the 2024 Australian Open. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he said the Serb should behave like Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal to earn more respect from fans. Interesting, the journalist is himself a ‘Fedal’ believer, which also shaped up his view.
Djokovic trounced Adrian Mannarino in an extremely one-sided contest on Sunday. He bagelled him twice before the Frenchman showed some resistance in the third set. Djokovic ultimately won their fourth round clash, 6-0, 6-0, 6-3. But when Mannarino won his first game of the tie in the third set, the audience broke into loud cheers.
They also began to boo Djokovic after he appeared to complain to the umpire about something. He responded by mockingly conducting the crowd like an orchestra.
Djokovic’s actions caused controversy, as many assumed he protested to the officials about Mannarino being celebrated. However, he likely approached the umpire to complain about the audience sarcastically cheering him after he received a time violation.
X user Fred Meyer, whose bio proclaims he is an official ATP journalist, attacked Novak Djokovic for mocking the crowd, saying this was why no one likes him. He dispelled the notion that the World No.1’s nationality or his not being from the ‘Western world’ is the issue. Labelling him a ‘jerk’, Meyer believed behaving like Federer or Nadal would get Djokovic respect from fans.
This is why nobody likes you Novak. Not because of your nationality or the “western media”. It’s because you are a jerk. He literally only won one game the whole match at this point and was celebrating. Try acting more like Nadal and Federer. You might get some respect for once. https://t.co/0qRsZCLxF0
— Fred Meyer (@FredWMeyer666) January 21, 2024
Djokovic had famously conducted a jeering crowd during the 2023 ATP Finals in Turin. Facing the home favourite Jannik Sinner in a round-robin clash, he crossed swords with the partisan crowd. After breaking the Italian late in the decider, he engaged the crowds during the changeover from his bench.
Fans react to ATP journalist slamming Novak Djokovic
As is normal for fan wars on social media, Djokovic remains unaffected and at the time of writing this report, he was engaged in an intense 2024 Australian Open quarter-final battle with Taylor Fritz, at 5-5 in the first set. However, fans on X reacted to Fred Meyer’s post with varied responses. Many echoed his sentiments, calling Djokovic ‘negative’.
I will never understand how he can be this negative, up 6-0 6-0 in a best of 5 match and still finds something to whine about. It’s incredible
— michael (@GavlakIii) January 21, 2024
The older he gets, the more annoying and arrogant he becomes
— Theebz (@theTheebz) January 21, 2024
I completely agree. He’s insanely talented and may just be the greatest player to ever play the game but I cannot ever root for someone who is so disgustingly arrogant and rude. Absolute twat https://t.co/uwzGbhktTn
— Ryan Star (@Ryan_Star7) January 21, 2024
Some users mentioned how Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will always be loved more.
Djokovic can have the titles and Fedal will have the streets ✅
— KP (@kamal_1111) January 21, 2024
He has the nerve to bully Shelton . Pls don’t compare this classless individual to Federer or Nadal. It’s also reason for his lack of endorsements
— Chinwe Daria Obioha-Nwangwu, J.D., LLM Taxation (@darialawpllc) January 21, 2024
Novak just has no personality, he can be a good player, but he isn’t the GOAT, to be the GOAT, you need to do something great not only on the court, but off the court. Nadal and Federer are players that left a big heritage, they won the hearts of fans, not Novak.
— Oksana Kyva (@OksanaKyva) January 21, 2024
However, a lot more fans supported Novak Djokovic and trolled Meyer, with a few also correcting him.
I am sorry mate but you are loser for that statement. Period.
— Arsen Gasp♥️ (@DubaiAG) January 21, 2024
It wasn’t about Mannarino, it was about the time violation.
— HeterodoxDan (@DanielG88295187) January 21, 2024
Come on Fred… I don’t mind you hating but at least try to tell the truth once in a while. They started booing while he was talking to the umpire for a time violation. Nothing to do with Mannarino winning a game.
— Zokes (@Zokes27) January 21, 2024
Fred Meyer Djokovic lives in your head at this point. You are not a Nadal fan, you are a Djokovic hater.
— Nicky Gi. (@drafnic) January 21, 2024
Millions and millions around the globe not just like but love Novak and he feels that love in contract to your wretched life. Embrace the greatness or live with that.
— Reggie Eagle (@reggie_eagle) January 21, 2024
Haha salty much. Novak is the greatest of all time and you can’t handle that haha
— Steven Georgallis (@G7WTsteve) January 21, 2024
Some even made jokes at Federer and Nadal’s expense.
Why would he act like Nadal or Federer, being the way he is won him more majors
— COYG ⚪️ (@AMSlandan) January 22, 2024
If he acted like Nadal he would make up an injury right after losing the first game
— Rudolph1 (@Rudolph85203035) January 21, 2024
I love Novak. There is no tennis player more spontaneous than him.
I prefer Novak a thousand times over the wealthy hypocrites who build an image to please fans and big brands like Nike and Rolex.That’s why Nole is the best, because he is not a repressed hypocrite.
— El Seba (@profeseba27) January 21, 2024
24 SLAMS https://t.co/azwGVICQ0s pic.twitter.com/ZQkscjq81y
— (@babyrosepink2) January 21, 2024
If he tried to be more like Federer or Nadal he wouldn’t be the best… https://t.co/ZfkpgkJpAc
— Nick Sapic (@nick_sapic) January 22, 2024
