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'At 37, with everything he’s accomplished,' Tatiana Golovin feels crowd not respecting Novak Djokovic is affecting him ‘much more than before’
PA Images/Alamy Images

Novak Djokovic was angry at the Wimbledon crowd for their constant ‘boos’ during his fourth-round match against Holger Rune , which he won easily in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. After the match, Djokovic accused the crowd of not respecting him, and he made some gestures to express how irritated he was by their disturbances. 

Former French player Tatiana Golovin explained why Djokovic-who many believe has mastered the art of ignoring the boos and jeers-is getting affected by the crowd’s rude behavior. Golovin said Djokovic used to understand why he did not get the respect when the other two members of the Big 3 were in their prime. But now that he is the most accomplished player in men’s tennis and so rude behavior from the crowd has started affecting him. 

At 37, with everything he's accomplished, the physical difficulties he can face, and the new generation that's coming, I think he would like to have the support of the public. Tatiana Golovin told BeIN Sports

The shouts from the crowd got under his skin in such a way he mistook their chants of Rune’s name for boos. And when the on-court interviewer told him the crowd was supporting Rune, Djokovic said a section of them was booing him. Golovin feels Djokovic, with everything he has achieved, has a right to complain if he is not getting the love and respect he deserves. 

I think he's right to say: 'Enough is enough. I'm the best of all time, I have to have respect and people have to support me, whether they like me or not.' I think it affects him much more than before because, at his age, he would like to move up to the next level. Tatiana Golovin added 

Before facing Rune, the 37-year-old knocked out Alexei Popyrin in four sets in the third round and played another four-setter in his second-round clash with Jacob Fearnley

Novak Djokovic vs. Alex de Minaur head-to-head record

Novak Djokovic is set to face Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals, and it will be their fourth meeting on the ATP Tour. Djokovic leads 2-1 in their head-to-head meeting. 

The last time they met was in the ATP Masters 1000 Monte-Carlo quarterfinal this season, which Djokovic won in straight sets. De Minaur’s only win came in the Davis Cup 2024. The Wimbledon quarterfinal will also be their first clash on grass. 

Djokovic is a seven-time Wimbledon champion and last won the title in 2022. De Minaur on the other hand will play his first Wimbledon quarterfinal. 

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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