‘It’s incredibly disrespectful,’ New Zealand’s Marcus Daniell targets Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic competed in the doubles event at the Mallorca Championships to gear up for Wimbledon. He paired with Spaniard Carlos Gomez-Herrera and the duo made it to the finals. But unfortunately, the duo pulled out of the final with Gomez-Herrera citing an ankle injury.

But New Zealand tennis star Marcus Daniell has slammed Djokovic and accused him for not stating the real reasons for the withdrawal. He believes that the reason for withdrawal is more likely to be about Djokovic getting to Wimbledon earlier to prepare for his title defence.

“I really don’t have any respect for that move. If he didn’t want to be here until the end of the tournament then he shouldn’t have played it, in my opinion,” Daniell said.

“Don’t pull out of a tournament 10 minutes after you have made the final. It’s incredibly disrespectful to the tournament and the people that he played against, both veteran doubles players who would have loved to have played in a final.”

“In saying that, I do have to caveat it with on paper it will say his partner pulled out. I fully don’t believe that was the case and I don’t have any respect for those sorts of actions,” he added.

Daniell believes Djokovic pulled out because of Wimbledon

Djokovic travelled the very next day to London to prepare for Wimbledon and pushed Daniell’s match by a day who said it’s frustrating because it’s the week before Wimbledon.

“If you do lose in a tournament like this you want to get over to Wimbledon and start preparing. So for the team that loses on Saturday, it will be frustrating, but then again, both teams have a shot at the title.”

As the defending champion, Djokovic will play the first match on center court on Monday against British teenager Jack Draper. The top seed is also the overwhelming favorite to win the title this time around.

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