Patricio Apey says he does not agree with the notion that Novak Djokovic shouldn’t be a well-liked participant however simply thinks that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal followers have in all probability tried to make it appear to be the Serb shouldn’t be a really favored particular person.
As you in all probability already know extraordinarily effectively, Djokovic has achieved completely large issues during the last decade and a half however he has by no means been probably the most favored among the many crowds. Even after turning into the first-ever man with 24 Grand Slams, Djokovic nonetheless offers with boos and sees the gang being in opposition to him in just about all 4 Majors, with the newest case of it coming at this previous Wimbledon.
Apey, a former Chilean tennis participant and coach of Gabriela Sabatini, Fernando Gonzalez and Guillermo Coria, has established himself as one of many high brokers within the recreation during the last 20 years. And each time he had an opportunity to spend a while with Djokovic, Apey – who prior to now represented Alexander Zverev and at present manages Stefanos Tsitsipas, Hubert Hurkacz and Sebastian Korda – had the sensation that the 37-year-old Serb was a “caring, clever and stylish particular person.”
“Novak is only a nice man. I’ve been fortunate sufficient to get to know him down the years. I’ve accomplished some issues for his Basis and I don’t have the smallest dangerous phrase to say about him. After all, everybody will care how followers view them, however I’m unsure it’s fully true to say that Djokovic shouldn’t be well-liked with the tennis public,” Apey informed Tennis365.
“Quite a lot of Federer and Nadal followers might drive that message, however he’s caring, he’s as clever as will be and is a category act in so some ways. He can attend an occasion for a charity or a basis and ship a 30-minute speech concerning the mission of the group with no single word. He’s at all times so spectacular.
“He’s so grounded, centered and cozy in his pores and skin. That’s extra necessary than something anybody can say about him. You’ll be able to’t please all the folks all the time, that’s the fact.”
Djokovic lately clashed with the Wimbledon crowd
At the newest Wimbledon version, Djokovic had sufficient of the gang’s antics throughout his round-of-16 match in opposition to Holger Rune and that led to an irritated response that grew to become a viral second.
All through the match, the gang was delivering an extended “Ruuuuuune” chant. However in Djokovic’s thoughts, he had little question what the intention behind it was – he thought the gang was making an attempt to boo and disrespect him in an oblique means. And after he sealed a routine 6-3 6-4 6-2 win over Rune, he had one thing particular for the Wimbledon crowd.
“To all of the followers which have had respect and stayed right here tonight, I thanks from the underside of my coronary heart and I respect it. And to all these people who have chosen to disrespect the participant — on this case me — have a goooooooood night time,” an irritated Djokovic informed the gang.
Djokovic shut down a declare made by the interviewer and Rune
After Djokovic unloaded on the Wimbledon crowd, the BBC interviewer on the courtroom tried to relax the seven-time Wimbledon champion by telling him that the gang was simply supporting the Dane with these lengthy chants. However the 38-year-old Serb had none of it, making it fairly clear that he did not imagine that for a second.
“They have been (booing). They have been. I’m not accepting it. No, no, no. I do know they have been cheering for Rune however that is an excuse to additionally boo. Pay attention, I’ve been on the tour for greater than 20 years. I do know all of the methods, I understand how it really works. I give attention to the respectful people who pay for the ticket, and love tennis and respect the gamers. I’ve performed in rather more hostile environments, belief me — you guys cannot contact me,” Djokovic responded on the courtroom.
When Rune was requested concerning the incident throughout his presser, he additionally defined that he thought the gang was simply rooting for him and nothing greater than that.
After the incident with the gang, Djokovic did not play once more for 4 days as a result of his Wimbledon quarterfinal match by no means happened after Alex de Minaur gave him a walkover. When Djokovic resumed his Wimbledon run, he defeated Lorenzo Musetti within the semifinal earlier than dropping to Carlos Alcaraz within the last for a second consecutive yr.
Djokovic is about to play subsequent on the Paris Olympics, which will probably be held at Roland Garros – the place he’s additionally no stranger to crowd boos.