Novak Djokovic let his anger burst out on Saturday, during the small men’s singles final of the Tokyo Olympics. He didn’t give a good image. Rafael Nadal reacted.
Novak Djokovic has totally lost his footing, this Saturday July 31, against the Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta for the 3rd place match of the Tokyo Olympics tennis tournament. He could not control his game or his nerves and literally went crazy on the court. In the first game of the 3rd set, he swung his racket in the stands. Then, frustrated that his opponent gave him a 3-0 in this round, he broke his racket with rage. These images did not please Rafael Nadal (who chose not to take part in the competition).
On the sidelines of the ATP 500 tournament in Washington, in which he is participating for the first time in his career, Rafael Nadal attended a press conference and gave his thoughts on the cracking of Novak Djokovic. “It is important to avoid these kinds of situations… Especially if you are an example for so many children”, said the Spaniard. “It’s strange for a player who is so successful to react like that from time to time. (…) This is not the best picture“, he added.
Novak Djokovic apologizes after his stroke
Djokovic, who, as Nadal pointed out, “remains world number 1 ultimately”, did not like to react in this way either. After the game, he expressed his regret and apologized for his gesture. “I don’t like to do this stuff. I’m sorry to send this kind of message“, he explained, justifying his stroke by an overflow of emotions that he could not control.
???? It’s not good to be Djokovic’s racket today! A few minutes after throwing a first in the stands, the Serbian ???????? explodes another against the net ???? #Tokyo2020 #Olympic Games pic.twitter.com/6cumR5nrsj
– Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) July 31, 2021
Novak Djokovic was not at his best in the semi-final against Zverev (crowned Olympic champion) nor against Pablo Carreno Busta in this small final. His mind suffered, but so did his body. The Serb revealed after his last game that he was injured. “I suffer from several injuries. Not one, but several… I hope I don’t have a problem with that for the US Open, which is my next goal. “The world number one won the Australian Open earlier this year, then Roland Garros and Wimbledon. He hopes to achieve the calendar grand slam by winning the US Open. This hasn’t happened since Rod Laver in 1969.
Article written with the collaboration of 6Medias
Photo credits: Imago / Panoramic / Bestimage
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