‘It hurts. I’m a human being’: Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic responds to criticism
Hitting again at his detractors and slamming the doubters, Novak Djokovic says his ninth Australian Open triumph was among the many most difficult of his grand slam profession.
Djokovic thumped Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 in Sunday evening’s ultimate earlier than taking intention at his critics. The Serb was savaged pre-tournament for detailing a record of so-called quarantine calls for for the 72 gamers holed up in onerous lockdown, then accused of exaggerating an belly damage throughout his five-set third-round win over Taylor Fritz.
While admitting that the criticism had harm him, Djokovic defined how he had developed a thick pores and skin to block it out.
“Emotionally [this] was one of hardest tournaments I had, to be honest, with quarantine and a lot of things happening in the media,” the world No 1 advised Nine.
“The letter that I wrote, ideas and recommendations that I got from players was misinterpreted as my request and list of demands. Then the next thing you know within a couple of days I’m persona non grata in this country.
“I got injured in the third round. It was a rollercoaster ride if I can define it in one word. I think it makes it even sweeter for me.”
Of the criticism, he stated: “It seems unfair from some people that criticise and judge without really checking before. But as I said, it’s not really the first time. It happened so many times in my life, in my career. It will probably not be the last one.
“Of course, it hurts. I’m a human being like anybody else. I have emotions. I don’t enjoy when somebody attacks me in the media openly and stuff. I cannot say I don’t care about it. Of course, it does, I have to be honest.
“I didn’t allow it to hinder my performance. I think winning the trophy is in a way my answer. I think I’ve developed a thick skin over the years to just dodge those things and focus on what matters to me the most.”
Djokovic maintained he tore a abdomen muscle in opposition to Fritz, and that the damage nonetheless had not absolutely healed.
“Once the tournament is done, I can say it’s a muscle tear. It was a muscle tear at that point,” the Serb stated. “I don’t think I’ve experienced that kind of a snap that I have in the third round. I went to MRI. MRI has shown a tear. People questioned that.”
In a weird conclusion to the match, the group inside Rod Laver Arena booed Tennis Australia’s president after she talked about the Covid vaccine rollout and the Victorian authorities.
Djokovic had simply wrapped up his 18th grand slam title when Jayne Hrdlicka took to the stage through the presentation ceremony, just for a part of the group to heckle her as she spoke.
“With vaccinations on the way, rolling out in many countries around the world, it’s now a time for optimism and hope for the future,” Hrdlicka stated, earlier than having to pause as jeers rang out within the stands.
Hrdlicka thanked the Victorian authorities for its work in making the match occur, regardless of the worldwide pandemic and stated: “Without you we could not have done this.”
The crowd booed as soon as once more earlier than Hrdlicka completed her speech by saying: “You are a very opinionated group of people.”
Djokovic, whose stance on vaccinations has drawn criticism previously, stated the fortnight in Melbourne had been a success, regardless of the various challenges confronted by match organisers.
“There are a lot of mixed feelings about what has happened in the last month or so, with tennis players coming to Australia,” Djokovic stated after his win.
“But I think when we draw a line in the end it was a successful tournament for organisers … it wasn’t easy, it was very challenging on many different levels, but they should be proud.”
