Wimbledon champions claim Novak Djokovic will always be ‘the villain’ for tennis fans
Novak Djokovic’s reign as Wimbledon champion is over and two former champions have suggested the Serbian legend is destined to forever be cast as the villain with tennis fans.
Carlos Alcaraz was crowned the new king of Wimbledon after dethroning Djokovic on a rapt Centre Court in one of the great Grand Slam finals.
The young Spaniard looked to be on his way to victory when he recovered from a nervous start to take a two-sets-to-one lead only for Djokovic to show once again his remarkable powers of resilience.
It was he who appeared in the ascendancy at the start of the fifth set but back came 20-year-old Alcaraz to claim a 1-6 7-6 (6) 6-1 3-6 6-4 victory after four hours and 42 minutes, finally landing a meaningful blow for the young guns against the man 16 years his senior.
Djokovic was gracious in defeat as he congratulated Alcaraz in a post-match interview that saw him break down on the court when he caught sight of his young son Stefan in the crowd.
That reaction drew sympathetic applause from the Wimbledon crowd, but Djokovic clashed once again with some members of an audience that included star names like Brad Pitt, Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman.
A theme of this year’s Wimbledon has been Djokovic hitting back at Wimbledon crowds who cheer on his opponents with vocal passion and former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash believes he will never be loved by the Centre Court fans.
“Novak Djokovic has always been the villain,” Cash told the BBC. “It’s not because we don’t like Novak but Federer, (Andy) Murray and Nadal have been there and there are so popular.
“They were the favourites so he was always the villain. He becomes the villain again because we want to see the new player (Carlos Alcaraz) win.
“I feel sorry for the guy. He’s not the villain at all, he is just an outstanding player who does his best.”
Three-time former Wimbledon champion John McEnroe agreed with Cash, as he suggested Djokovic used the negativity from fans to his advantage.
“I had the ability to get crowds against me and I couldn’t get out of it. I let it get into my head,” admitted McEnroe.
“All you want as a player is respect from your fellow players. If you could have respect and love, you’d take that.
“That’s what Roger had, that’s what Rafa will have if he comes back. Novak hasn’t had that.
“He has spent his whole career trying to get to that level and he has done that and he is still not getting the love… because he is too damn good!”
Djokovic broke down in tears when he lost the 2021 US Open final against Daniil Medvedev, with the love pouring his way from the New York crowd that night.
“I would like to say that tonight, even though I have not won the match, my heart is filled with joy and I am the happiest man alive because you guys made me feel very special on the court,” he said after that match, confirming how much he wants to be respected and adored by tennis fans.
He then added: “You guys touched my soul. I have never felt like this is New York. I love you guys.”
It remains to be seen whether Djokovic will ever get that level of support from a Wimbledon crowd, but champions who show vulnerabilities tend to get the love so much more than those who dominate.
On the evidence from what we have seen over the last year, Djokovic now has a rival ready to push him all the way in the final chapters of his craaer and tennis fans will be hoping the 2023 Wimbledon final is a sign of things to come.
READ MORE: Is Novak Djokovic’s era of dominance over after sensational Wimbledon defeat?
