Novak Djokovic weaponising a slight against him should scare Aus Open rivals

No tennis player is better at harnessing his emotions than Novak Djokovic. And the latest perceived slight against him could be weaponised on his record-breaking quest, writes CALLUM DICK.

A note to the Novak Djokovic haters: Stop, you’re only giving him what he wants.

Djokovic has again weaponised a perceived slight against him and that should scare his Australian Open rivals.

Whether you believe his reaction to the comments from Channel 9 anchor Tony Jones were justified or not, Djokovic has again successfully unearthed the catalyst he had been searching for all summer.

The king of mental warfare now has the perfect ammunition to turn this new-found chip on his shoulder into a 25th grand slam title.

No tennis player – perhaps no athlete in world sport – is better at harnessing his emotions than Djokovic. This has been the Super Serbian’s modus operandi for years and one of the many things that make him an all-time tennis great.

The King of Melbourne Park is embroiled in yet another controversy in Australia. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

There are two very distinct sides to Djokovic: the happy-go-lucky, calm and confident early-tournament version who will wax lyrical about his opponents and fans and endear himself to the world; and the mid-tournament, chip-on-the-shoulder, me-versus-the-world Djokovic who finds any means necessary to win.

Last year at Wimbledon, following his fourth-round victory over Holger Rune, Djokovic took umbrage with pockets of fans who had lightheartedly been chanting “Ruuuuuuuune”, which he believed were boos directed towards him.

When it was explained to him that was not the case, Djokovic replied: “I have been on the tour for more than 20 years. I know all the tricks.”

Djokovic uses those tricks more than anyone else.

On form, his clinical dispatching of Jiri Lehecka on Sunday night should not have come as easily as it did. Lehecka was unbeaten for the year having cantered to the title in Brisbane – where Djokovic lost in the quarter-finals – and played the best tennis of his career.

However, he was powerless in the face of the mental giant that was Djokovic, who looked to have won the war even before a ball had been struck in anger.

“I would say you get a sense of how your opponent is feeling already before the match, before you enter the court, in the gym or locker room,” Djokovic said on Sunday.

“We, in a way, can’t run away from each other as we are sharing locker rooms and gym spaces, warm-up area.

“We do see each other, our respective teams. There’s a battle already that starts before we step out on the court.”

Djokovic owns Rod Laver Arena. It has been the battleground for 10 Australian Open titles. He knows every inch of its cushion acrylic surface and that his opponents know it.

Lehecka’s confidence crumbled with every passing point. Whenever the Czech lost his temper, Djokovic took note and twisted the knife.

All the while Djokovic fought his own fight with pockets of the crowd but while Lehecka’s mental frustrations became a weakness, Djokovic harnessed his as a strength.

This is his other secret, his other “trick” learned over 20 years of tour trade. Djokovic only needs to hear one heckler, one time, to kick his competitive instincts into overdrive.

How many times have we seen Djokovic have a back and forth with a member of the crowd? In the moment he appears furious but almost always, once the battle has been won and he is asked to elaborate, he will shrug it off.

Djokovic is fuelled by slights. Picture: Michael Klein

That exact circumstance unfolded on Sunday night.

“No, look, nothing that really stands out or extraordinary,” he said of his crowd interaction. “Every match something different happens.”

Aussie tennis great Sam Stosur said on Channel 9 before Sunday’s match: “He’s been the best at pulling out every single trick in his bag throughout his whole career.

“He has done absolutely everything to get himself into the position he is as arguably the greatest ever.

“I think it has been hidden in the past, when someone might be heckling him in the crowd a little bit he’ll give it back, he’ll use that as the motivation to get over the line and prove that he was the best player on the court.”

Sometimes it is hard to tell if there is a heckler in the crowd, or if Djokovic has conjured it whenever he needed to energise himself. Even against Australians he can command the majority of fan support at Melbourne Park.

However, Djokovic has made one thing crystal clear over the years; if you insult Serbia, if you insult his fans, you insult him.

Last year we saw how much that elusive Olympic gold medal meant to him and his country. He emptied the tank to make it happen. This summer he has that same ferocious hunger to win his 25th grand slam title.

His rivals – and haters – would do well to tread lightly, lest they give him any further ammunition.

Originally published as Novak Djokovic weaponising a slight against him should scare Aus Open rivals