“It’s a shame” Nikola Pilic criticizes the French Open crowd for booing Novak Djokovic during his quarter-final match against Rafael Nadal
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Nikola Pilic and Novak Djokovic
Yugoslavian tennis great Nikola Pilic came forward in defence of his former pupil and favourite player Novak Djokovic once again after the Serbian was defeated in the quarter-finals of the 2022 French Open. 13-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal defeated Djokovic, this year’s defending champion, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(4) in an epic 4 hour and 18-minute battle.
During the match, however, Djokovic often found himself the recipient of unwarranted whistles and boos, something that he faced in previous rounds as well right from the moment he stepped onto the court. While Nadal has been a fan favourite in Paris for his amazing feats over the years, even he would disapprove of the booing of any other player and this has bothered Pilic clearly.
“It’s a shame. I don’t know what’s going on in this world. But there should be some fair play. The audience was impossible. Novak played not only against the opponent, who is good, but also against the audience,” said Pilic speaking on Kurir television after the Djokovic-Nadal quarter-final match.
Rafael Nadal deserved the victory over Novak Djokovic says Nikola Pilic
Pilic has been one of Djokovic’s earliest mentors and has seen the Serbian grow up to become the tennis great he is today. Despite his love and affection towards the current World No. 1, Pilic could not deny that it was Nadal’s day during their quarter-final clash and the Spaniard deserved to take the win.
“I am very sorry that Novak lost. It is a very prestigious match. Novak started so that Nadal dominated. The first set was 6: 2, where Nadal did what he wanted. And then Novak woke up. Then Novak did with Nadal what he wanted. And he really played championship tennis. I thought that if he won the 4th set, he would get away with it and win. Novak lost a bad tiebreak, Nadal was great just then.
“I must say, unfortunately, Nadal deserved to win this match. He played perhaps the best match on earth. He played an extraordinary match, with inspiration and a desire to win. Novak was not helped by his first serve at all. Every point had to work left and right. Nadal took advantage of that. Things have changed on the field, that is the result, Novak was not helped by the service, and he had to use that against Nadal. I have to say, it is very difficult for me, but Nadal deserved the victory,” said Pilic during his match analysis.
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Sarthak Shitole
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