Tag: Novak Djokovic

Carlos Alcaraz delighted in Novak Djokovic’s classy joke about losing to him at Wimbledon

This was a perfect way to give Alcaraz his flowers.

Sunday saw Novak Djokovic once again break his racquet in frustration during a tough Men’s Wimbledon Final loss. But it’s worth noting that Djokovic only specifically threw another tantrum because world No. 1 and first-time Wimbledon winner Carlos Alcaraz gave him all he could handle in a tense match.

When Djokovic was asked to reflect on his defeat post-match, with the heat of the moment behind them, he made sure to pay tribute to Alcaraz’s performance as a bright 20-year-old. He did it by making a classy joke about how Alcaraz actually surprised him with a sterling performance on Wimbledon’s trademark grass.

And as a growing friendly rival, Alcaraz absolutely loved it:

In case you’re not sure what Djokovic referred to when saying he thought Alcaraz would only give him “trouble” on other surfaces, he’s partly calling back their semifinal match at the 2023 French Open earlier this summer. Alcaraz made some incredible plays at Roland-Garros before eventually fading down the stretch.

That, of course, didn’t happen to Alcaraz at Wimbledon, and Djokovic appropriately applauded his young peer for holding it together for the big win.

Novak Djokovic childishly smashed his racquet in frustration after losing a break in epic Wimbledon Final

Throwing a tantrum in a tough loss is classic Djokovic.

Entering Sunday’s Men’s Wimbledon Final, Novak Djokovic had a chance to break the all-time Open record for Grand Slam titles. But first, he had to overcome the young superstar and current world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz.

While some expected Djokovic to cruise, Alcaraz gave the arguable tennis GOAT all he could handle in an epic five-set match. And when Alcaraz started to pull away in the fifth set, winning a crucial break en route to his first-ever Wimbledon title, Djokovic predictably lost his cool in the worst way.

He does, after all, have a history.

In this case, the Serbian athlete once again smashed and completely destroyed his racquet against the post like a child, showing anything but the grace and composure of a champion.

The least Djokovic can do in a tough loss is not … destroy things. There’s something to be said for discretion and taking a defeat in dignity. This was a terrible look for someone who carries themselves like an all-time great.

What is a hindrance call in tennis?

Novak Djokovic was called for hindrance during his Wimbledon semifinal win Friday.

Novak Djokovic is just one match victory away from his 24th Grand Slam title, which would set the all-time record for men or women in the Open Era and break his tie with Serena Williams at 23.

The No. 2-ranked player in the world won his Wimbledon semifinal match Friday, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4), over No. 8 Jannik Sinner to advance to Sunday’s final, when he’ll face either No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz or No. 3 Daniil Medvedev. But Djokovic’s semifinal win had a super surprising moment.

During the second set against Sinner, Djokovic returned the ball and let out a loud and extended grunt. It was apparently too much for the chair umpire, who called the 36-year-old Serbian player for hindrance.

So what is hindrance? Simply, the ATP Tour’s 2021 rulebook described it as: “A hindrance may result (1) from a corrected call by an official or (2) from an inadvertent event that occurs on-court”.

But the section also notes that a “A distraction occurring on-court may be ruled inadvertent (unintentional) or ruled deliberate.” More via the 2021 ATP Tour rulebook:

Any player who created the hindrance must be advised that the next time play is stopped by the Chair Umpire because of that player’s similar actions; it shall result in a loss of point. …

Any distraction caused by a player may be ruled deliberate and result in the loss of a point (intentional or unintentional). Deliberate is defined as the play- er meant to do what it was that caused the hindrance or distraction.

This grunt from Djokovic certainly seems unintentional, but the rule clearly states the call leads to a loss of a point regardless of intentionality.

Here’s another example, from the 2021 ATP Tour rulebook:

Opponent Makes Noise

Case: During play, a player thinking he has hit a winner, shouts “vamos”, “come on”, “yes”, etc. as his opponent is in the act of hitting the ball.

Decision: If the Chair Umpire rules that a hindrance has occurred then, as the sound or exclamation that caused the hindrance was deliberate, the point shall be awarded.

23 awesome Novak Djokovic photos from his 23 singles Grand Slam victories

Novak Djokovic called by Wimbledon umpire for ‘hindrance’ during point because he… grunted too long?

Too much grunting, apparently.

Novak Djokovic, the No. 2 seed at Wimbledon, was fighting for a point in the second set of the men’s semifinals against No. 8 Jannik Sinner when the chair umpire called out one word that stopped play.

“HINDRANCE.”

For those unfamiliar, hindrance is called when a player or non-player intentionally or unintentionally interferes with another players ability on the court. If intentional, the perpetrator will lose the point. If unintentional — think a bird flying down or a headband coming off mid-play — they will simply replay the point.

Sinner was awarded the point, meaning the chair umpire deemed Djokovic acted intentionally.

So, what did he do? Well, he grunted too long.

He clearly didn’t agree, but the point went to Sinner. What do you think? Did he grunt too long?

23 awesome Novak Djokovic photos from his 23 singles Grand Slam victories

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23 awesome Novak Djokovic photos from his 23 singles Grand Slam victories

A look back at Novak Djokovic’s incredible tennis career through Grand Slam wins.

When Novak Djokovic won the 2023 French Open, what many tennis fans assumed was inevitable happened, and now the Serbian player stands alone at the top of the men’s game.

His French Open victory — his third at Roland Garros — delivered Grand Slam win No. 23, breaking the two-way tie he previously had with Rafael Nadal at 22. At one point after Djokovic’s 2021 Wimbledon win, he, Nadal and Roger Federer were tied with 20 apiece.

But now, the men’s singles Grand Slam record belongs solely to Djokovic — though currently, he’s in a tie with Serena Williams for the all-time singles Grand Slam record in the Open Era — and he’s looking to add to it. So as Djokovic looks to rewrite more tennis history, here’s a look back at his 23 Grand Slam wins, including 10 Australian Open victories.

MORE MEN’S TENNIS:

See the moment Novak Djokovic won the French Open to set the men’s Grand Slam record at 23

Simply put, Djokovic is one of the greatest tennis players we’ve ever seen.

Novak Djokovic entered a class of his own in the history of men’s tennis on Sunday.

By defeating Casper Ruud in Paris – by a score of 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-5 – Djokovic secured a men’s-record 23rd Grand Slam singles championship. That’s one more than Rafael Nadal, three more than Roger Federer, and more than any other man to swing a tennis racket.

The mark also ties him with Serena Williams for the most Grand Slam singles championships by any tennis player.

After winning at Roland-Garros, the Serbian also becomes the first male tennis player to win each Grand Slam tournament title at least three times. He’s now won the French Open three times, the U.S. Open three times, Wimbeldon seven times and the Australian Open 10 times.

At 36 years old, Djokovic is also the oldest singles champion at Roland-Garros.

Simply put, while his career has not been without controversy, Djokovic is one of the greatest tennis players we’ve ever seen, and the moment he won on Sunday was a special one.

Even Nadal — known for his heartfelt messages to fellow competitors — was impressed.

See for yourself:

Djokovic is now halfway toward a single-year sweep of the four majors. No men’s player has pulled off a calendar Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969. Djokovic came close in 2021, but was upset in the title match of the U.S. Open.

It’s been a good weekend for athletes from Serbia too. Nikola Jokic has the Denver Nuggets just one win away from winning their first NBA Finals after posting 23 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in Game 4 against the Miami Heat on Friday.

Novak Djokovic could only applaud Carlos Alcaraz’s outrageous point against him in French Open semifinal

Seriously, HOW?!

Sometimes, when your opponent makes a jaw-dropping play during competition, all you can do is watch and applaud.

And that’s exactly what Novak Djokovic did Friday during his 2023 French Open semifinals match against Carlos Alcaraz, the 20-year-old player from Spain who’s currently ranked No. 1 in the world.

Early in the match after No. 3 Djokovic — who’s currently in a two-way tie with Rafael Nadal for most men’s Grand Slam wins at 22 — won the first set, the second set was tied, But Alcaraz was up in the third game, and then he pulled off some magic.

As the pair were going back and forth, Alcaraz was forced up to the net, leaving 36-year-old Djokovic with a wide-open court for a seemingly easy point. But Alcaraz showed off some incredible speed, running from the net to the baseline before returning for a jaw-dropping point.

Seriously, how did he do this?! How did he get back fast enough? The agility and body control! How did he manage to even hit the ball — and at that angle?!

Just look at where the ball is on the return, where Alcaraz is and the direction they’re both heading. Winning this point is outrageous.

Screenshot: @rolandgarros

But afterward, Alcaraz’s smile and Djokovic’s raised hands and applause say it all.

UPDATE: Though Alcaraz won the second set, he began to cramp up and struggle significantly. Djokovic ultimately won (6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1) and advanced to Sunday’s final.

2023 Australian Open, men’s final, live stream, TV channel, time, how to watch Djokovic vs. Tsitsipas

The stage is set for a historic men’s final at the 2023 Australian Open as Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic face off on Sunday.

The stage is set for a historic men’s final at the 2023 Australian Open as Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic prepare to face off at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday. For Tsitsipas, this is an opportunity to make history by winning his first grand slam title, while Djokovic looks to further cement his legacy by tying Rafael Nadal for the most career grand slam titles with 22.

Will Tsitsipas be able to pull off the upset and win his first grand slam title, or will Djokovic continue his dominance and tie Rafael Nadal’s record?

Tune in and find out, here is everything you need to know to watch and stream the match.

Australian Open, Men’s Final

Novak Djokovic vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas

  • When: Sunday, January 29
  • Live Coverage: 3:30 p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: ESPN, ESPN Deportes
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)
  • Live Stream: ESPN+ (watch now)

2023 Australian Odds and Betting Lines

Australian Open odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook Sportsbook. 

Novak Djokovic (-500) vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas (+375)

Want some action on the Australian Open? Place your legal sports bets on this game or others in CO & NJ at Tipico Sportsbook. 

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