Novak Djokovic proposes radical changes to tennis after clash with Australian Open fan

Kevin Palmer
Pictured: Novak Djokovic at a press conference
Novak Djokovic speaks during a press conference

Novak Djokovic has suggested tennis needs to embrace change, after suspecting the younger generation may be struggling to maintain their focus during long Grand Slam matches.

Djokovic clashed with a spectator giving him abuse during his hugely impressive straight-sets third round win against Tomas Machac, with his press conference after the match throwing up some intriguing suggestions from the most successful player of all-time.

Tennis has made minimal changes to the way the product is presented on court for the last few generations and Djokovic believes the moment has come to try something different.

“I think that we should try to look to connect more with the younger people,” said the 10-time Australian Open champion.

“I want to see a little bit more entertainment. For example, why wouldn’t we consider doing something between the sets like the Super Bowl or, I don’t know, the NBA?

“When there is a timeout, they have, you know, dancers come in and this and that. I wouldn’t have a problem with that.

“Nice dancers, there for a few minutes more break so I can relax my nerves and think about something else.

“I feel like it would bring more fun elements and entertainment to tennis, that we know has been quite traditional and maybe conservative in some things.”

He went on to suggest these innovations should only be considered at certain events, as he argued the traditions at Wimbledon should not be tampered with as they are part of the heritage of tennis.

“With Wimbledon, I wouldn’t change much. I would keep it as it is because it’s so unique, all white and strawberries and cream and everything about it is just so elegant and classy,” he said.

“But all the others, US Open, I mean, in USA, you guys know very well what entertainment is about.

“So I’m up for it, just like maybe gradual changes. Dancers first.”

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Djokovic’s final comment was delivered with a smile and while he may have been having some fun with the suggestion we could have cheerleaders on court to entertain younger fans, his wider point has relevance.

The modern generation of young tennis fans will struggle to maintain their attention on a match that stretches beyond three hours and that encourages the kind of unruly behaviour we have seen at this year’s Australian Open.

Danielle Collins struck back at Australian fans showering her abuse by cupping her ear and thanking them for helping to pay for her next five-star holiday.

Britain’s Jack Draper had to deal with hecklers whistling during his epic match with Australian Aleksandar Vukic and, not for the first time in is career, Djokovic had a spat with a fan firing criticism at him as he beat Tomas Machac in impressive fashion to reach the fourth round.

When asked about the response of Collins to those taunting her, Djokovic made it very clear that he would like to do the same as he offered her glowing support.

“I loved it, everything she said on the court, off the court. Big fan of Danielle Collins after that. I was before, but now, big fan

“I heard some comments of people that she shouldn’t have said that. I think she handled it really well. I don’t think I would be that polite, and I know exactly the feeling. So I think she was funny, smart, and just a big fan of what she did.”

Asked about his own clash with a fan during the Machac contest he added: “I understand you have a few drinks more and then you get into it, but on the court it’s frustrating, and it comes in a bad moment.

“If it’s repetitive, it happens for an hour, somebody tells you in the corner things that you don’t want to hear and constantly provoking, then of course it comes to the point where you just respond.

“So I tried to tolerate but then at one point I had to respond.”

It remains to be seen whether tennis chiefs have an appetite for the kind of change Djokovic has suggested, but it would certainly change the dynamics of a sport that is often seen as being a little too conservative for its own good.

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