John McEnroe believes chair umpire had personal motives in handing Novak Djokovic hindrance call during the Wimbledon semis

McEnroe felt the hindrance call and compounding the situation with a time warning was unnecessary from the umpire.

John McEnroe believes chair umpire had personal motives in handing Novak Djokovic hindrance call during the Wimbledon semis

Novak Djokovic, John McEnroe (Images via Eurosport, Twitter)

World No. 2 Novak Djokovic was up against Italy’s Jannik Sinner in the first semifinal of the 2023 Wimbledon on Friday (July 14). And though Djokovic won the match easily, there was one drama that created debate in the tennis world, and now former player John McEnroe has also given his verdict.

During the second set, Djokovic was leading by 2-1 and was serving at 15-15, but his extended grunt forced the umpire, Richard Haigh, to give the points to Sinner, citing hindrance. Djokovic, in complete disbelief, dropped to his knees and argued with the umpire. Adding more drama, the umpire gave a warning to the Serb for taking time to serve during the same game.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YlJZ6cGrnDQ

This incident made McEnroe angry. The American doesn’t mince his words while giving his opinions. He felt the hindrance call and compounding the situation with a time warning was unnecessary from the umpire. At the same time, he praised the 36-year-old for handling it well.

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“He handled it admirably. Way, way better than most players. I would’ve hated it if that had been the turning point. It’s one thing if Sinner lifts his game- that’s great, competition- but not when the umpire gets in the middle of it,” McEnroe said on BBC.

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Novak Djokovic to play against Carlos Alcaraz in the final

John McEnroe believes chair umpire had personal motives in handing Novak Djokovic hindrance call during the Wimbledon semis
Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic (Images via Eurosport, Sporting News)

The match that everyone has been waiting for will be held on Sunday (June 16) on Centre Court. Novak Djokovic will lock horns with Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz in the summit clash at Wimbledon.

Djokovic will be playing his fifth back-to-back Wimbledon final, while the 20-year-old reached his first final at the All-England Club. Nole sure will be the favorite to win the match because not only is he a four-time defending champion, but he has bagged seven trophies at SW19.

Alcaraz, though quite formidable on clay, struggles a bit on the grass, but this year, his performance on grass courts has been incredible. He arrived at Wimbledon on the back of a successful campaign at the Queen’s Club Championships, where he defeated Alex de Minaur in the final.

If the Serbian legend wins the match, he will equal Roger Federer’s tally with eight Wimbledon trophies. He last met Alcaraz in the semifinal of this year’s French Open where the Spaniard succumbed to pressure and cramps, losing the match with the score of 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.

They have met just twice and have a head-to-head record of 1-1. Their first encounter was at the ATP Madrid Open in 2022, which was won by the youngster. Tomorrow, there will be a blockbuster finale where Alcaraz will aim for his first Wimbledon trophy while Djokovic will be eyeing his record-extending 24th Grand Slam title.

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