Sunday, January 19, turned out to be the day when Novak Djokovic made his wrath identified to the Australian Open crowd at Rod Laver Enviornment, in Melbourne. After defeating Czech ace Jiri Lehecka, the World No. 7 controversially refused a courtside interview with tennis legend Jim Courier, which left everybody confused.
Novak Djokovic leaves after a press convention on the Australian Open.(AFP)
The Serbian star downed Lehecka 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) in a match, the place the group was in opposition to him. After his win, he walked in direction of two-time Australian Open winner Courier for the courtside interview, however then took the mic from him to simply thank the group, after which he walked. Though, he did keep again for a few minutes to signal autographs.
Then he defined his actions within the post-match press convention, which he began off by blaming 9 Community reporter Tony Jones and demanded an apology for offensive and racist insults. The rationale, he denied the interview, was on account of 9 Community being the official broadcasters of the Grand Slam occasion in Melbourne.
Jim Courier opens up on Novak Djokovic snub
Talking to Eurosport, Courier revealed that he was equally confused by Djokovic’s refusal, and he wasn’t knowledgeable that it could occur. “No, I had no idea. I had no idea that was going to happen,” he mentioned.
“But there is no obligation for these players to that. It is an opportunity for them to talk to the people in the stadium and the fans around the world who might be watching on various channels.
“But a player can opt out. Initially I thought there might… sometimes if a player is injured or cramping they might opt out of it but I don’t think it was that. I hope we will get a little more colour on it at some point,” he added.
In the course of the match, Djokovic was additionally visibly aggravated by the Rod Laver crowd. Within the third set specifically, the spectators tried to distract the Serbian and put him off guard, when he was attempting to serve, and even the chair umpire needed to intervene.
Though Djokovic snubbed Courier, he did converse to a presenter from Eurosport on courtroom, the place he opened up on his struggles with various kinds of crowds.