Trouble follows Novak Djokovic like a puppy.
Ultimately week’s French Open, the 36-year-old Serb stirred up controversy when, after his victory over Aleksandar Kovacević, he grabbed a pen and wrote (in Serbian) on the lens of a television camera: “Kosovo is in the center of Serbia, stop the violence” – a nationalist message that goes against Kosovo’s claims as an independent state and on the identical day that Serbs clashed with Kosovo police and NATO-led peacekeepers in northern Kosovo.
It arouses indignation.
After all, in an ideal world, sports and politics would never mix, but it surely’s like attempting to get the egg out of an omelette – not possible and, for that matter, completely pointless.
While Djokovic’s actions on the French Open drew widespread criticism, it was just one other incident within the tennis superstar’s growing record.
![While he may be on the verge of becoming the greatest male tennis player of all time, Djokovic can't let go of his controversial antics like writing a nationalist Serbian message on camera last week.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000012269724.jpg?w=1024)
For instance, in January 2022, he was deported from Australia ahead of the Australian Open, after his staunch stance on COVID vaccination prevented him from competing and his claims for medical exemption were denied.
Meanwhile in 2020, he was banned from the US Open for driving the ball down the throat of an unsuspecting line judge, hospitalizing her and getting disqualified in the method
The ballboys were ridiculed. Rockets were thrown. There have been slings, atomic bombs and feuds with judges. Based on other players, Djokovic has also mastered the art of the sport.
![Shot from an Emirates plane carrying Djokovic from Australia to Belgrade after he was denied entry for failing to comply with 2022 Covid vaccination requirements.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000012277949.jpg?w=1024)
Take the 2020 French Open, for instance, where Carreno Busta was ahead within the quarter-final match against Djokovic before the Serbian declared a medical break, disrupting the Spaniard’s momentum.
But suddenly feeling higher, Djokovic got here back for the win. “Each time a match gets tough, he seeks medical attention” Busta grumbled.
Former world primary Andy Roddick was less diplomatic ahead of his match on the 2008 US Open, saying that Djokovic looked as if it would “recover from two bruised ankles in addition to a back (injury), rib and cramp, bird flu, anthrax.” , SARS, common cough and cold” in his previous game. “He’s either calling the coach quick or he’s the bravest guy ever,” Roddick declared.
![In 2020, Djokovic was banned from the US Open after one of his serves saw the ball hit a female lineman in the throat.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000012278056.jpg?w=1024)
The web result, as shown by the chorus of cheers welcoming him to Paris this week, is that Novak Djokovic’s popularity seems questionable (at best).
But like tennis needs it.
The issue with Djokovic, nonetheless, is that he’s on the verge of becoming the best male player of all time. If he wins the French Open this weekend, it should be his twenty thirdr&d Singles Grand Slam title – greater than some other man in history.
![Martina Navaratilova (l) and Chris Everett at the 1986 French Open; their rivalry made 1980s tennis one of the most engaging ever.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000012278531.jpg?w=1024)
There isn’t any doubt concerning the continued greatness of Djokovic’s performance. But apart from that, he’s also the variety of player that skilled tennis needs immediately to be interesting.
I mean, have a look at Wimbledon, which is so sleepy that the gang actually applauds the road technology machine that determines whether the ball is in or out. Exciting huh?
Yes, it doesn’t take much to be hailed as “character” in tennis. Likewise, you haven’t got to do much to change into the villain of a bit.
![Bjorn Borg (l) congratulates John McEnroe on winning the 1981 US Open; the duo were also some of the fiercest rivals in tennis history.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000012278482.jpg?w=1024)
And no character seems more interesting – or, yes, irritating – than Novak Djokovic. Especially since Roger Federer has suspended his racket and Rafael Nadal is sidelined with an injury and his race is sort of running.
In spite of everything, for thus long, Djokovic was Goldfinger to Federer’s James Bond, Darth Vader to Obi-Wan Kenobi Nadal.
This sort of intense competition is the idea of tennis.
Imagine Bjorn Bjorg who never played John McEnroe? Or possibly Chris Evert without Martina Navaratilova on the opposite side of the online?
That is what makes the game what it’s.
You wish a polarizing presence, a player whose fans would fairly lose than win one other. Each great and infuriating, today’s presence comes right down to Djokovic.
After all, many skilled tennis players consider that Djokovic gets away with greater than his peers just because he’s so good.
When Djokovic was disqualified from the 2020 US Open for punching a linesman, Australia’s Nick Kyrgios – perhaps the worst of all of the bad boys in the sport – took off Twitter poll, asking his followers how long he can be banned if he acted like Djokovic, giving options of 5, 10 or 20 years. Greater than 200,000 votes were counted and over 51% of respondents thought 20 years was the most probably.
It’s easier to lock down lower ranked players for misdemeanors though – they do not get a fraction of the media attention like Djokovic. Just have a look at the detailed evaluation of his legal battle and subsequent deportation from Australia in 2022.
![Djokovic had a competition as the most interesting tennis player with Roger Federer (l) and Rafael Nadal. But Federer has retired and Nadal is currently off the field due to injury.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000012278265.jpg?w=1024)
Within the aftermath of this defeat, Djokovic’s former coach Boris Becker was asked in a BBC interview why people still don’t sympathize with the Serb.
“He is not for everybody – I get it,” replied the three-time Wimbledon champion. “[But] you possibly can’t make people love you.”
Possibly we should always all try harder.