Novak Djokovic cops punishment over 'awful' act after Wimbledon final
The 23-time grand slam champion has been hit in the hip pocket after his loss to Carlos Alcaraz.
Novak Djokovic has been hit with a US$8000 fine ($A11,750) for smashing his racquet during the Wimbledon final, adding further pain after his loss to Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic cut a frustrated figure late in the match on Sunday as he melted down in the fifth set and smashed his racquet against the net post.
On Monday, the All England Club confirmed the 36-year-old had been hit with the monetary penalty for "racquet abuse". However the fine is unlikely to bother Djokovic too much considering he walked away with $2.26 million in prize money for making the final.
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Djokovic allowed his frustrations to get the better of him after failing to break Alcaraz and then losing his own service game during the decisive fifth set of Sunday's thrilling final on Centre Court. He was immediately hit with a code violation by chair umpire Fergus Murphy, who had earlier pulled up the Serbian star for a time violation.
The 20-year-old Alcaraz took full advantage to seal a famous victory after four hours and 42 minutes, winning 1-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 3-6 6-4. In the process, the Spaniard denied his illustrious opponent a 24th grand slam title and an eighth at Wimbledon, retaining the World No.1 ranking in the process.
"I didn't expect him to play so well this year on grass, but he's proven he's the best player in the world," Djokovic said of Alcaraz in his post-match press conference. "I haven't played a player like him, ever.
"People have been talking in the past 12 months or so about his game consisting of certain elements from Roger, Rafa, and myself. I would agree with that.
"He's got basically the best of all three worlds. He's got this Spanish bull mentality, fighting spirit and incredible defence that we've seen with Rafa. He's got some nice sliding backhands, some similarities with my backhands. He is a complete player."
And Djokovic wonders why the public don’t like him ? Disgusting behaviour smashing his racquet in anger
— Allison Morris (@ajd2809) July 16, 2023
It was striking that even though Alcaraz is 16 years younger than Djokovic, he was infinitely more mature in the final. Djokovic breaking his racket was pathetic. I’ve never been happier to see someone lose.
— stacey miller (@even_thorizon) July 17, 2023
If a female player had done what Djokovic just did with his racket in a tantrum she’d be absolutely dragged. But these commentators are so far up Djokovic’s ass, they’re just full of empathy for how hard it must be for him 🎻
It’s pathetic.#Wimbledon— Elissa (@Peakester) July 16, 2023
Your attempt to defend Djokovic smashing his racket on the net post was pathetic. You’re defending awful behaviour. Poor show from an “impartial” BBC commentator.
— OMNISCIENT doG (@dog_brodie) July 16, 2023
Carlos Alcaraz retains World No.1 ranking
Alcaraz's victory saw him keep the World No.1 ranking and keep Djokovic at bay at No.2. Alcaraz's win marked the third time in the past four major tournaments that the men's final has determined who would be the No.1 player in the world.
At the US Open last September, Alcaraz became the first teenager to secure the No.1 ranking in men's tennis by beating Casper Ruud in the final. At the Australian Open in January, it was Djokovic - who has spent more weeks atop the rankings than anyone in tennis history - who assured himself of being at No.1 by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Alcaraz and Djokovic have been trading places as World No.1 this season, with the Spanish 20-year-old now entering his 29th week atop the rankings.
Meanwhile, Marketa Vondrousova has jumped up to World No.10 after winning her first grand slam title. Vondrousova jumped 32 places from No.42 thanks to her 6-4 6-4 win over Ons Jabeur in Saturday's women's final at the All England Club. The 24-year-old from the Czech Republic became the lowest-ranked and first unseeded woman in history to win the grass-court grand slam.
Iga Swiatek was in danger of relinquishing her 15-month reign as women's World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon, but remained there on Monday. Swiatek lost in the quarter-finals, while Sabalenka went down in the semi-finals and didn't earn enough points to take the top spot.
The top seven slots in the women's rankings have stayed the same for now, with 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina at No. 3, followed by Jessica Pegula, Caroline Garcia, Jabeur and Coco Gauff.
with agencies
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