Advertisement

Why some fans aren't happy with this image of Novak Djokovic

Yahoo Sport Australia

A seemingly harmless image of Novak Djokovic sitting shirtless during his clash with John Millman has re-opened a can of worms at the US Open.

The US Open has been played in sweltering temperatures – over the 30-degree mark most days – and crushing humidity.

THE GOAT: Serena storms towards history with ‘scary’ semi-final win

SAD DEVELOPMENT: Millman makes shock bullying claim after US Open run

Djokovic said he changed his shirt 10 times in his quarter-final victory over Millman in a match which was held up for more than six minutes at 2-2 in the second set when the Australian left the court to change his clothes.

“It’s OK,” Djokovic told Millman. “I need a rest.”

Novak Djokovic waits in his chair for John Millman who left the court for a comfort break. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)”n”n”n
Novak Djokovic waits in his chair for John Millman who left the court for a comfort break. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)”n”n”n

The Serb was happy for the mid-set break, sitting at his chair with his shirt off and hands on his head, grinning with delight as the crowd cheered and wolf-whistled.

But not everyone was happy with what they saw.

Some fans thought Djokovic’s shirtless antics highlighted a ‘sexist’ double standard in tennis that had come to the fore earlier in the tournament.

French woman Alize Cornet was hit with a code violation last week after taking her shirt off on court in order to switch it from back-to-front to the right way.

The US Open apologised after receiving a hail storm of criticism, stating that Cornet had done nothing wrong and shouldn’t have been warned.

But despite the issue being addressed and seemingly settled, many fans took to social media on Thursday to complain about how Djokovic had been treated compared to Cornet.

Many pointed out that Djokovic hadn’t broken any rules by removing his shirt, but that didn’t stop others from complaining.

‘Like a sauna’

Djokovic said the tournament needs to address the problem of air-conditioning in an arena which can hold almost 25,000 people.

“I asked the chair umpire whether they are using some form of ventilation or air conditioning down at the court level side, and he said he’s not aware of it — it’s only what comes through the hallway,” added Djokovic.

“It’s fantastic to have the roof but it feels like a sauna.”

Fortunately for Djokovic, as well as Nishikori and Rafael Nadal and Juan Martin del Potro, who meet in the other semi-final, Saturday is expected to be a more comfortable 24 degrees.

Djokovic, rejuvenated by a fourth Wimbledon title after a spell of struggles with form and confidence since wrapping up the career Grand Slam in Paris in 2016, enjoys an equally comfortable record over Japan star Nishikori.

He leads their head-to-head 14-2, including all three meetings in 2018, the latest of which was at Wimbledon in the quarter-finals.

with AFP