‘I would change all the rules’ – Novak Djokovic’s round of 16 opponent ruffles feathers
Croatian Borna Gojo has expressed some controversial views on the sport and what it is like to be a spectator ahead of his Round of 16 clash with Novak Djokovic at the US Open.
Gojo feels that tennis shouldn’t impose silence on the crowd who have come to have a good time.
He said it would be unthinkable for someone to attend a football match an d sit and watch the match in silence, at least it is when he goes to watch Hajduk Split.
Gojo scoffed at the suggestion that the US Open crowd has been rowdy after a few complaints from players.
The Croatian also feels that a little bit of trash talk between players could spice things up for the crowd, as he claimed that tennis in boring.
“I don’t mind the noise,” Gojo told Tennis Majors.
“I played college tennis, so for me it’s always – the crazier, the better. I am used to it. I like it when the atmosphere gets a bit tense, because tennis is an extremely boring sport. As a spectator – you have to stay silent…
“I would change that, look at the other sports. I come watch Hajduk [football team] play and I have to stay silent? Come on!… I feel tennis is a dying product and that we need more of that. I would change all the rules!” One change the world No. 105 would like to see is the introduction of ‘trash talking’ between players.
“I would love if the players were allowed a shoulder bump or trash talk, a bit of provocation. We don’t have to fight, but I would like to be able to say something to my opponent. The way things are now – I say something and they call the police instantly, it’s so rigid.”
Gojo also believes that journalists pearl clutching at sportspeople swearing during a contest is absurd.
“I think it’s ridiculous what you journalists do. Let’s make a piece then about everything that was said during a football or basketball match. What kind of sh*t is that? I will swear again. People say that I don’t know how to behave. Well, those people should go on the court, do something, get off the couch, play some sports, play at Wimbledon – and then we can talk if they don’t swear. I can only laugh at things like that – is it really newsworthy when Luka Modrić (football player for Real Madrid) swears.”
Gojo might be set to take on Djokovic in the last 16 but he is not yet occupying the mind of the 23-time Grand Slam winner.
After outlasting compatriot Laslo Djere in a five-set epic, Djokovic said that his only thoughts were of his pillow.
“To be honest, I don’t really care who I play next. I really don’t care because what I care about right now is just to sleep, recover and recuperate this 36-year-old body.”
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