How will Novak Djokovic be received by the Australian public at Melbourne Park? Although last week the affection of the public was already seen by those attending the ATP 250 in Adelaide, where he ended up being crowned in an unforgettable final against the American Sebastián Korda.
Although everything indicates that he will be received in a great way, this reaction from the respectable cannot be assured either. Despite the fact that ‘Nole’ is the greatest winner in the history of the first Grand Slam of the season, on more than one occasion he has not felt the support of the public as he should with his results in that place.
The director of the Australian Open, Craig Tiley, was emphatic in saying that they will not allow any ill-treatment against Djokovic and even dared to say that they would retaliate against the public who tries it. “If they dare to interrupt the fun of all of us, they are out.
We do not want people like that in our tournament. They must stay away from the pitas or we will be the ones to throw them out,” Tiley said in the preview of the event. It is clear that Novak Djokovic’s image has changed in recent months.
Many people began to support him because of the treatment he received in 2022 by health authorities from different countries and because the Serb himself has shown a different image.
John McEnroe on the GOAT debate
While Novak Djokovic preferred not to betray his convictions even if it meant missing some Grand Slam tournaments, Rafael Nadal took the risk of endangering his health to notably win a 14th Roland-Garros.
Still, the Serbian retains the image of the record hunter obsessed more than his rivals with the GOAT race. The proof with this statement from John McEnroe for Eurosport. “Honestly, I don’t know if Novak or Rafa will be able to close the GOAT debate once and for all this season.
All three continue to amaze me. Roger has only just stopped and Rafa, which he did in Australia last year before confirming it at RolandâGarros… I understand that Rafa still really wants to play, that he is hungry and that he loves what he does, and Novak is also fully committed.
So even if these youngsters are promising… Obviously Alcaraz are already at the top and Rune is not far behind and we can hope that other youngsters will raise their level still further, so it should not be easy for Novak and Rafa to win again.
And yet, one should not bet against them. I think Novak, especially, is starving. He is the one of the three who most assumed the idea that he wanted to be the GOAT, the one who would hold the most Grand Slams. So he seems to be the most motivated.”
