Australian Open 2021: Analysing the flawed genius of Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic says he was trying to help. Nick Kyrgios says he’s a tool. Who is right? Marc McGowan examines the complicated world No.1.
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Villain, or misunderstood?
There’s no in between when it comes to world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who’s back in the headlines after telling everyone his infamous Australian Open requests were “misconstrued”.
To Djokovic, he was simply trying to help those worse off than him. To Nick Kyrgios, he’s “a tool”.
The Serbian superstar’s tennis brilliance and elastic athleticism are undeniable, and it’s almost universally accepted that at some stage he will own the men’s grand slam titles record.
Yet sharing an era with fellow legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal has never worked to Djokovic’s advantage off court despite them elevating each other to unmatched heights on it.
That’s not to say the 33-year-old isn’t hugely popular.
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Djokovic’s ravenous #NoleFam gave everyone an insight into their fanaticism after his US Open default last year, for accidentally but recklessly hitting a line judge with a ball.
They hunted as a pack, sniffed out the lineswoman’s name and Instagram account – with help from a Serbian tabloid – and set about abusing her, as if the whole thing was her fault.
One fan warned: “I hope you rot in hell for this. Hell hath no fury like @djokernole’s fans scorned!!!”
Djokovic, who resigned as ATP player council president last year in the wake of revelations about a new players’ association he’s involved in, had little choice but to step in and ask for them to stop.
However, it was Federer who was voted the ATP Tour’s favourite player for the 18th straight year – despite barely playing in 2020 – while Nadal dwarfs them both in social media following.
Federer was known for his temper tantrums as a junior, but neither he nor Nadal has a blot on his copybook quite like Djokovic’s default. It’s not a one-off, either.
There was his much-talked-about touching of chair umpire Damien Dumusois’ foot during a heated exchange over a time violation in last year’s Australian Open final.
And the sarcastic gibe that went with it: “You made yourself famous in this match. Great job.”
Djokovic regularly gets into it with chair umpires, then typically fobs it off afterwards as just the heat of the moment.
His Adria Tour, which resulted in a wave of positive COVID-19 tests, did him no favours, either.
There was also his chat with wellness guru Chervin Jafarieh, when he told us: “I know some people that, through energetical transformation … managed to turn the most toxic food, or maybe most polluted water, into the most healing water.”
It was Djokovic’s Pete Evans moment.
It was weird, but oh-so-Novak Djokovic, who’s transformed himself from a contender into an all-time great with an obsession to offbeat nutrition.
The results can’t be argued with. He has won 17 grand slam titles and is rapidly closing on Federer’s record for weeks spent at No.1.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley also insists Djokovic’s quarantine wishlist was merely filled with suggestions rather than demands.
In Djokovic’s own words: “My good intentions for my fellow competitors in Melbourne have been misconstrued as being selfish, difficult, and ungrateful.”
This is all going down in the country Djokovic won almost half his grand slam titles in, but also the place his father slammed as disrespectful for not cheering his son in last year’s final.
There’s always another layer to a Djokovic story. He’s a tennis titan, an individual, a leader – but not for everyone.
DJOKOVIC PENS OPEN LETTER TO AUSTRALIANS
World number one Novak Djokovic published an open letter to the Australian public on Twitter in which he tried to “clarify” demands he appeared to make to the organisers of the Australian Open.
Djokovic, an eight-times champion in Melbourne, was widely harangued after reportedly issuing a list of demands in a letter to Tennis Australia that included moving quarantined players into private homes with tennis courts and getting them better meals.
Australian media zeroed in on the demands, portraying them as petulant and selfish while fellow player Nick Kyrgios called him a “tool”.
In his tweet, Djokovic said his letter to Australian Open director Craig Tiley had been taken the wrong way.
“My good intentions for my fellow competitors in Melbourne have been misconstrued as being selfish, difficult and ungrateful,” said Djokovic who is currently in hotel quarantine in Adelaide.
“This couldn’t be farther from the truth.”
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 20, 2021
Djokovic said he was merely speaking up for fellow players who were not being treated as well as him.
At least 72 players have been barred from leaving their rooms for two weeks after coronavirus cases were detected on their charter flights into the country.
Others are allowed out of their rooms for up to five hours a day to train under strictly-controlled conditions.
“I genuinely care about my fellow players and I also understand very well how the world is run and who gets bigger and better and why,” said the 33-year-old Serb.
“I’ve earned my privileges the hard way and for that reason, it is very difficult for me to be a mere onlooker knowing how much every help, gesture and good word mattered to me when I was small and insignificant in the world pecking order.
“Hence, I use my position of privilege to be of service as much as I can where and when needed.”
Djokovic said his letter to Tiley was a “brainstorm about potential improvements that could be made to the quarantine of players in Melbourne that were in full lockdown” and not a list of demands.
“There were a few suggestions and ideas that I gathered from other players from our chat group and there was no harm intended to try and help.
“Things in the media escalated and there was a general impression that the players (including myself) are ungrateful, weak and selfish because of their unpleasant feelings in quarantine,” he wrote.
“I am very sorry that is has come to that because I do know how grateful many are.”
The Australian Open is due to start on February 8.
DJOKOVIC’S LETTER IN FULL
Australia,
In light of recent media and social media criticism for my letter to Craig Tiley (Tournament director of Australian Open), I would like to clarify a few things.
My good intentions for my fellow competitors in Melbourne have been misconstrued as being selfish, difficult, and ungrateful. This couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Not every act is taken at its face value and at times when I see the aftermath of things, I do tend to ask myself if I should just sit back and enjoy my benefits instead of paying attention to other people’s struggles. However, I always choose to do something and be of service despite the challenging consequences and misunderstandings.
I genuinely care about my fellow players and I also understand very well how the world is run and who gets bigger and better and why. I’ve earned my privileges the hard way, and for that reason, it is very difficult for me to be a mere onlooker knowing how much every help, gesture, and good word mattered to me when I was small and insignificant in the world pecking order. Hence, I use my position of privilege to be of service as much as I can where and when needed.
I have always had a very good relationship with Craig, and I respect and appreciate all the effort he puts into making the Australian Open a place to look forward to coming back to each year. In our email exchange I used an opportunity to brainstorm about potential improvements that could be made to the quarantine of players in Melbourne that were in full lockdown.
There were a few suggestions and ideas that I gathered from other players from our chat group and there was no harm intended to try and help. I was aware that the chances were low that any of our suggestions would be accepted, just like my request to quarantine with my team in Melbourne instead of Adelaide, was denied prior to our travel, because of the strict government regulations. Since I couldn’t be with other players in Melbourne, I made myself available to them if needed.
I understand that organizing international sporting events during a pandemic poses health risks to the local community and to the players themselves. Therefore, I would like to express my full gratitude to Tennis Australia, the Australian Government and local citizens for being willing to take this risk with us for the love of the game and the multiple opportunities it brings to the economy of the country and its people. We are honored, and we will all do our best to follow the guidelines and protocols put in place. We do hope that we will be able to nurture our bodies and be ready for the mental and physical endurance and strength tests that are ahead of us once the competition starts.
Things in the media escalated and there was a general impression that the players (including myself) are ungrateful, weak, and selfish because of their unpleasant feelings in quarantine. I am very sorry that it has come to that because I do know how grateful many are. We all came to Australia to compete. Not being able to train and prepare before the tournament starts is really not easy. None of us ever questioned 14 days of quarantine despite what is being said by media outlets.
I am very much looking forward to playing in front of the people and joining the tennis frenzy and energy of the city that has always carried me towards many victories. I am also looking forward to seeing all my fellow players together in Melbourne. I am blown away by the numerous messages of gratitude and love that I have received during these past few days.
Wishing you all health and love,
Novak
Brazilian Chair Umpire, Carlos Bernardes had a Heart Attack, but he is doing well right now https://t.co/UtEhMjBaHR
— Site Tenis News (@tenisnewsbrasil) January 20, 2021
UMPIRE HAS HEART ATTACK IN QUARANTINE
Well known tennis umpiring veteran Carlos Bernardes is understood to have suffered a cardiac arrest in hotel quarantine.
Reports in Brazil suggest the tennis official was rushed by ambulance to a Melbourne hospital and remains in a stable condition.
Bernardes has been in hard lockdown since arriving in Australia ahead of the February 8 tournament.
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Originally published as Australian Open 2021: Analysing the flawed genius of Novak Djokovic
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