Former British WTA player Laura Robson felt it was 'nice' to see Novak Djokovic lose his temper in the Wimbledon final this year so that fans can really attest to his human powers.
Djokovic had been unbeaten in a Wimbledon final for precisely 10 years when he faced Carlos Alcaraz last month in one of the most anticipated Grand Slam final matches in recent memory. Djokovic had cantered to win many majors during his career, and Robson reckoned we never got to see the human side of him.
And Djokovic, for the first time this season, was visibly agitated with some of the points he played during the final and smashed his racket in frustration on the net post, making a huge dent in it. Djokovic felt the full wrath of the British crowd who booed him. Roboson who was watching the match, felt the fans sometimes have a wrong perception of Djokovic.
Whilst he is a tennis great with remarkable records in his CV, Robson says he is bound to experience some lowlights and be disappointed with himself, which is natural. Because we rarely see this human side of Djokovic, Robson thinks the New York crowd might warm up to him at the 2023 US Open. She told Metro UK:
"I was watching that final thinking that it showed he was human. Everyone has this perception of him that he’s the most incredible athlete and the most insane tennis player of all time, which he is, but to let that emotion show was almost nice in a way because we so often see him winning so easily in Slam finals."
"To see him really tested and so frustrated with how things were going was nice, because you rarely see it from him. I feel like maybe this year (in New York) the crowds may be on his side a little bit more."
The US Open crowds have a long history of cheering for the underdog. A potential Djokovic-Alcaraz final in a couple of weeks' time could split the crowd. But with the Spaniard winning their last duel in a Grand Slam final, he might be the favorite should they meet again according to Robson. The 29-year-old Londoner feels the crowd could get behind Djokovic.
"The US Open crowds love an underdog and they might feel Alcaraz is the favorite over Djokovic and get behind him. Djokovic has a lot of fans but for whatever reason some people do not warm to him as much. But I think he has been great for tennis."
The Serbian star avenged his Wimbledon loss by beating Alcaraz in a thrilling final at the Cincinnati Masters in the last major tournament before the US Open. Robson backs Djokovic to win it all but predicts a close contest to the finish line.
"I would go for Djokovic. Alcaraz was struggling to find his form in Toronto. He was mentally so up for it, but for whatever reason could not find his level on the court. But he has played himself into form as all the top players do. They might not play well one week but the next they start to figure things out."
"Alcaraz against Djokovic on a hard court. It would be nice to see a bit of a rivalry between those two. They’re going to push each other on."
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