'Looked at differently': Coach's racism claims about Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic's coach has let rip at the way World No.1 was treated throughout the last year following his Australian Open title.

Djokovic claimed his 18th Grand Slam title after his incredibly dominant Australian Open title charge last month.

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But Djokovic's time in Australia was turbulent after feeling the wrath of parts of the community after he was outspoken on quarantine conditions regarding some players.

This has prompted coach Goran Ivanisevic to liken Djokovic's treatment, following the ill-fated Adria Tour during the coronavirus pandemic, to the cult horror film a 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'.

He even went as far as to claim an element of the treatment is racist because he comes from Serbia.

"Everything started with the Adria Tour; they were after him even before that, but in the last year it seemed to me as if I am watching that film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," he told Tennis Majors, while laughing.

"Why is he being treated that way? Probably because of his background, people from Balkans are always looked at differently; also, Novak is not afraid to speak his mind and to fight for causes he believes in."

Novak Djokovic's injury critics 'sad'

At the US Open last year, Djokovic was defaulted after accidentally hitting a ball at a lines judge.

This prompted fierce backlash for the World No.1 after he was eliminated.

But coach Ivanisevic said people wanted to see Djokovic's downfall at the US Open.

He also said Djokovic was the only one to step up for his current players in Australia.

"What happened at the US Open, it was as if everyone was glad because that kind of s**t happened to him. In Australia he stood up for his fellow players and again – let’s kick Djokovic because he is the only one to speak up, everyone else stays silent," he said.

He also addressed the latest furore, surrounding Djokovic's injury halfway through the Australian Open tournament.

Many accused Djokovic of playing up the injury, which occurred during the match against American Taylor Fritz in the Third Round.

But this was preposterous, according to his coach.

He said people accusing Djokovic of an injury was "the saddest thing" and claimed if other players were injured and overcame the problem they would be praised.

Djokovic equals Federer record

Djokovic's extraordinary ninth Australian Open title, and 18th Grand Slam, helped him reach another record.

Djokovic has officially equalled Federer's record on 310 weeks as World No.1 and is guaranteed to surpass the 20-time Grand Slam champ next week.

The World No.1 announced last year that chasing this record was one of his career goals and the Serb will officially extend the achievement next week.

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