Novak Djokovic, the world’s number one tennis player, has been fined £6,117 ($8,000) for racket abuse during the Wimbledon final. The incident occurred during Djokovic’s match against Spanish player Carlos Alcaraz, which he ultimately lost. Frustrated by a break in his serve during the deciding fifth set, Djokovic smashed his racket against a net post, leaving it twisted and prompting booing from the Centre Court crowd.
The Serbian player also received a code violation from chair umpire Fergus Murphy for his outburst. Earlier in the match, Djokovic had already been issued a time violation for taking too long to serve. Despite his frustrations, Carlos Alcaraz emerged as the victor, winning the thrilling clash 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 after an intense four hours and 42 minutes.
Djokovic’s loss at Wimbledon means he was denied his 24th grand slam title and an eighth victory at the prestigious tournament, which would have put him on par with Roger Federer. The incident involving Djokovic’s racket is not the first time he has been involved in such a controversy. In the 2020 US Open, he was disqualified from the tournament for inadvertently hitting a line judge with a ball during a match against Pablo Carreno Busta. The incident resulted in a fine of $10,000 and the forfeiture of prize money and ranking points.
Following the Wimbledon final, Djokovic downplayed the racket incident, attributing it to frustration in the moment. He acknowledged the exceptional play of his opponent, who managed to break his serve, ultimately securing the victory. Djokovic expressed that there was not much more to say about the incident.
As the tennis world reflects on this event, Djokovic’s behavior and on-court conduct continue to be a topic of discussion. Despite his exceptional talent and numerous achievements, his occasional outbursts have drawn criticism from both fans and fellow players.
