EXCLUSIVE: Former England striker Peter Crouch on the Novak Djokovic controversy at the US Open
Former England striker Peter Crouch has insisted Novak Djokovic should not have been thrown out of the US Open after he hit a line umpire in the throat with a ball last Sunday.
The tennis world was rocked as the world No 1 saw his hopes of claiming an 18th Grand Slam title shattered in a fresh moment of frustration and tennis fan Crouch was among those looking on in bewilderment at a chain of events that created front and back page headlines around the world.
With his towering frame, Crouch was a good tennis player before he opted to devote his sporting career to football and in an exclusive chat with Tennis365, the ex-Liverpool and Tottenham forward suggested Djokovic was unlucky to be plunged into a crisis that ended his US Open bid.
“It was a crazy story and I just don’t see how you can throw him out of a massive tournament like the US Open for that,” Crouch told us at a BT Sport event.
“You could see he was frustrated and he hit the ball away with a bit of annoyance, but surely a fine and a warning was the right way to go there.
“It was mad that there was hardly anyone in the stadium and he has managed to flick a ball away and hit someone in the throat, but it just felt too much for me to say he was out of the tournament straight away. It was harsh for me.
“I’m sure he would have issued an apology after the match, but there is no way you can say he has tried to hurt anyone there. It was just bad luck and the punishment was over the top in my view.”
Crouch also gave us his view on sports ongoing mission to continue without the presence of spectators, as he suggested we should be happy with what we have after sport was stopped around the world at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We will never get used to watching massive sporting events like the US Open or the Premier League without fans, but I’m looking at it from a glass half full perspective,” he added.
“At the end of the day, we could be where we were a few months back and have no sport yo look at. No Premier League, no nothing. That meant I was at home looking after four kids wasn’t the ideal scenario for me, so we have sport back now and we should celebrate that.
“It will be much better when we get fans back, of course it will, but at least we have got something to watch again.”
Make unlimited subs with flexible BT TV; Change your football packages, BT Sport, Prime Video & Now TV Sky Sports Pass, every month. Find out more at btsport.com/unlimited-subs
Follow Kevin Palmer on Twitter @RealKevinPalmer
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu suffers huge injury setback on the eve of Miami Open
Raducanu forced to make a tough decision ahead of WTA 1000 tournament in Miami.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz hailed for ‘chasing Rafael Nadal’ by pundits as injury concern highlighted
“It adds to the quality of Alcaraz that he can play at this level at the age of 20.”
-
Tennis News
Miami Open draw: Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner learn their fate as Andy Murray gets enticing opener
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev and co. have learned their draws for 2024 Miami Open.
-
Tennis News
Tim Henman gives his verdict on Novak Djokovic’s ‘revealing’ Miami Open withdrawal
“It probably does lead a little bit more to speculation when you’re talking about your professional and personal life.”
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi by legendary coach
“Rafa can do the same thing that Federer does, while Cristiano cannot do what Messi does.”
-
Tennis News
Martina Navratilova makes Novak Djokovic ‘doubt’ claim as she highlights age factor
“What happens when you get older is the bad days are worse. You have to have it (doubt) no matter what.”
-
WTA Tour
WTA Rankings: Dominant Iga Swiatek practically assured of big feat ahead of Roland Garros
This way for your post-Indian Wells WTA Rankings.
-
Tennis News
Andy Murray makes retirement uncertainty confession as he also opens up about one of his toughest losses
“I would want to be there by right,” says Andy Murray.
-
ATP Tour
ATP Rankings: Novak Djokovic 7.997 years at No 1, Carlos Alcaraz holds off Jannik Sinner, Luca Nardi +27
This way for your latest ATP Rankings.
-
Tennis Videos
WATCH: Carlos Alcaraz on THAT point against Daniil Medvedev – ‘Something happened to my feet’
“Points like this one give me extra motivation to put a smile on my face.”