Andy Murray sympathizes with Novak Djokovic over not getting the same support that “Roger and Rafa” got from crowds around the world
Murray, who has played 36 matches against Djokovic and won 11 of them, also praised the Serb for his achievements.
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Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic (Images via Imago)
Though Novak Djokovic may feel the crowd doesn’t like to support him, he is a well-respected tennis player, believes Andy Murray. Both these rivals are in Paris to compete in the Paris Olympics after which the Brit will bid adieu to the sport.
Djokovic stands on top with most Grand Slam titles in the history of men’s tennis. Murray, who has played 36 matches against Djokovic and won 11 of them, praised the Serb for his achievements.
I think at times it has been difficult for him to not maybe feel the same support from the crowd that Rafa and Roger got. But you know he still does have massive support in the world. I think, he is extremely well respected, you know, not just in tennis but in world sport, because of all of that, because all of his achievements, and I think at times he’s thrived on that as well.Andy Murray told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour
“At times it’s been difficult” for Novak Djokovic in winning over the crowds, @andy_murray tells me. “He’s won the most grand slams and had an unbelievable career… [But] when the crowd hasn’t been behind him, he’s played some of his best tennis.” pic.twitter.com/wBQwTIjyGZ
— Christiane Amanpour (@amanpour) July 25, 2024
Murray, who has lifted three Olympic medals (two golds in singles and one silver in mixed doubles he played with Laura Robson) suffered a back injury during the Queen’s Club Championships and withdrew from the singles event at the Olympics, but he will be playing doubles with Dan Evans. Djokovic, on the other hand, is bidding to win his first gold medal-the only prestigious accolade he has not won in his career.
The Serb, however, took home the bronze medal he won in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Djokovic lost his bronze medal singles match and a shoulder injury forced him to withdraw from the bronze medal match in mixed doubles.
Novak Djokovic slammed the Wimbledon crowd for their boos
Novak Djokovic has indeed been booed ‘mercilessly’ by the crowd wherever he plays, which is why he sometimes goes into a rant against them and asks for their respect. At Wimbledon this year, when Djokovic was playing against Denmark’s Holger Rune, the crowd started chanting ‘Rune’ in a way the Serb thought they were booing him.
He was so angry that he did not mince his words while criticizing them for ‘disrespecting’ him. Later in the press conference, he said he felt the crowd stepped over the line.
When I feel that a crowd is stepping over the line, I react. I don’t regret my words or actions on the court.
Novak Djokovic said at the press conference
Djokovic, however, did not receive the same treatment from the crowd during the final against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, who beat the seven-time Wimbledon champion easily in straight sets to lift his second title at the SW19.
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Gouri Das
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