By David Young-
John McEnroe has warned the French Open fans that booing Novak Djokovic will only spur him on when he plays crowd favourite Rafael Nadal on Tuesday night.
World number one and defending champion Djokovic was heavily jeered when he walked on to court before his fourth-round match against Diego Schwartzman.
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His name was also booed when mentioned during 13-time champion Nadal’s on-court interview following his five-set victory over Felix Augur-Aliassime, which set up the box-office quarter-final and a 59th meeting of the heavyweights of the sport.
The hostile response is a reaction to disapproval from fans at the French open over his stance on vaccination which saw him deported from Australia earlier in the year. Djokavic was particularly criticised for attending a children’s event the day after being tested for Covid-19.
He said he had not received the notification of a positive PCR test result until after that event,” the statement said.
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He also admitted seeing a journalist for a L’Equipe interview , adding that he felt obliged to go ahead and conduct the L’Equipe interview . He said he didn’t want to let the journalist down, but did ensure he socially distanced and wore a mask except when my photograph was being take
Djokovic overcame the pressure of the hostile reception at the French Opens, as he emerged victorious and booked himself a well-deserved quarter-final spot.
Rafael Nadal’s French Open quarter-final against long-time rival Novak Djokovic will take place in Tuesday’s night session at Roland Garros despite the 13-time champion’s desire to play in the day.
Officials confirmed Monday that the pair’s 59th career meeting will be played in the late match under the lights of Court Philippe Chatrier with the day’s other quarter-final between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev set for the afternoon.
McEnroe, who was no stranger to getting on the wrong side of the crowd during his playing days, believes Djokovic is the best ever at feeding off the negative energy towards him.
“I didn’t do it as well. I felt like it affected me more than it helped me. I think there were times where it fuelled me, but he has done it consistently. He’s a remarkable player and person.”
McEnroe’s brattish behaviour on his way to seven grand slam titles in the 1980s usually earned him the ire of the crowd but he is at a loss to explain why Djokovic, who has never received the same levels of adoration heaped upon Nadal and Roger Federer, is being heckled so much this year.
“He’s been wanting to be respected at that same level, and that sort of fuels him but I think it’s unfair, personally,” added the American. “It’s just something that I can’t explain. I don’t know what it is, honestly.
“He deserves to be – and he is – respected. It’s just that I’m sure it’s frustrating. I think at the end of the day they will like him more after he stopped playing which sort of ended up being the case with myself, I guess.
“But at the time, it’s frustrating. Some of it can be at times your own fault, but I think quite a bit of it isn’t. It’s just that these other guys are so amazing.
“He does it better than anyone I’ve ever seen,” said Eurosport pundit McEnroe. “I didn’t do it as well. I felt like it affected me more than it helped me. I think there were times where it fuelled me, but he has done it consistently. He’s a remarkable player and person.”
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