John McEnroe showed true colors with passionate | Sports News

Tennis great John McEnroe has come to the protection of Novak Djokovic, who has typically discovered himself at odds with the Wimbledon viewers. McEnroe, recognizing Djokovic’s exceptional accomplishments, has known as for elevated respect for the 24-time Grand Slam winner.

Djokovic, a seven-time victor at Wimbledon, is aiming for an eighth crown to match the legendary Roger Federer. Despite his extraordinary report, Djokovic tends to obtain a much less enthusiastic welcome from the Centre Court crowds than Federer, who has long been a crowd darling.

McEnroe first voiced his assist for Djokovic following the 2023 Wimbledon last, the place the followers largely rooted for Carlos Alcaraz, prompting Djokovic to blow kisses to the viewers.

“Novak has not only equalled them [Federer and Rafael Nadal] but surpassed them in overall achievements, which seemed impossible,” McEnroe remarked during an interview with The Metro. “Both of those guys, Rafa and Roger, they are total class acts.

“They are liked and revered world wide. Novak will get the unfair therapy. He’s the villain, the unhealthy man. I believe it has been unfair, truthfully, as a result of he’s great for the sport. On and off the courtroom.”

At last year’s Wimbledon, Djokovic faced a controversial moment when he felt that the crowd’s exaggerated chanting of ‘U’ in Holger Rune’s name was a veiled form of jeering.

Post triumph in the round-of-16, the combative Serbian took to Centre Court and proclaimed defiantly: “You cannot contact me.”

The event stoked McEnroe’s fervent defense of Djokovic, as he called for recognition of a player he considers often undervalued.

Commentating for BBC Sport, McEnroe characterized Djokovic by saying: “He’s just like the Darth Vader in comparison with two of the classiest acts we have seen play tennis – Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Who can stand up to them in what they’ve contributed? No one – after which right here comes Djokovic, crashing the social gathering.”

Still, McEnroe highlighted the importance of appreciating Djokovic’s merits, stating: “So then how about respecting him after all this? He’s by far the man who’s taken the worst heat and that is why I might say he is the best that is ever performed.”

In a flip of occasions, concord appears to have been reestablished between Djokovic and the crowds at Wimbledon this 12 months, notably during his dominant win over Britain’s own Dan Evans in spherical two.

Afterwards, Djokovic affectionately spoke of Wimbledon, referring to it as ‘probably the most particular event in my coronary heart’.