Novak Djokovic currently finds himself on the opposite side of fans’ support. As the tennis star has been facing hate amid his recently reignited controversy with Ben Shelton, it seems like the fans are still not over it. The Serb is showing no signs of weakness on his run for the ongoing grand slam event in Melbourne, but despite that, the unconditional support that he used to have, appears to be missing.
Djokovic’s miraculous achievements are undoubtedly worthy of great rewards. As tennis legend Rod Laver recently remarked that it is time that the Serb’s initials deserve to be on the Australian Open trophy, fans showed no signs of acceptance.
Fans oppose Rod Laver’s call to include Novak Djokovic’s initials on the AO trophy
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Novak Djokovic is currently on a strong run for the Australian Open 2024 title. While the tennis star already has earned it 10 times, the world can expect another addition for him this year. Recently, legendary tennis figure Rod Laver recognized Djokovic as a worthy fit to carve his initials on the glorious AO trophy. As the tennis star is currently in a situation against the fans’ support, they didn’t really seem to appreciate Laver’s proposal.
🇦🇺🏆 Rod Laver says that the Australian Open can ‘start putting Djokovic’s initials on the trophy’, unless someone ‘miraculously plays at their best level’:
“He’ll lose a set somewhere in these five-setters and I’m thinking, ‘Is he having us on?’ because he could win this in two… pic.twitter.com/wjPB4L9jty
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) January 20, 2024
In a recent tweet that covered the whole update from Rod Laver, the fans came forward to present their denial. As the trail of comments began, a fan, drawing the angle of disrespecting other players in the draw, wrote, “Hugely disrespectful to all the other men in the draw still. Disappointed with Rod’s comments, thought more of him than that.”
Hugely disrespectful to all the other men in the draw still. Disappointed with Rod’s comments, thought more of him than that.
— Laura (@LauraF7x) January 20, 2024
Another fan, highlighting the disrespect that Rod Laver presented, against the efforts of young players like Sinner and others, commented, “It’s hugely disappointing to see such comments from the legendary player. Players like Sinner and Alex de Minaur work their way to become a grand slam champion. You can write their efforts off by praising Djokovic.”
It’s hugely disappointing to see such comments from the legendary player. Players like Sinner and Alex de Minaur work their way to become a grand slam champion. You can write their efforts off by praising Djokovic.
— Prabu Sivakumar (@prabu_sivakumar) January 21, 2024
Presenting his own version of Rod Laver’s recent statement, a fan wrote, “all the shots”, in addition to … all the gamesmanship, fake injuries, and the benefit of the constant cake draws!”
“all the shots”, in addition to …
all the gamesmanship, fake injuries, and the benefit of the constant cake draws!— Cheri Amor (@cheribevamor) January 20, 2024
“Dude played tennis 100 years ago, his opinion has as much weight as that of my grandma who ain’t even alive,” said another fan, causing direct disrespect to the legendary tennis figure.
Dude played tennis 100 years ago, his opinion has as much weight as that of my grandma who ain’t even alive
— kulie (@kulie34334006) January 21, 2024
Another fan, trolling Laver with a comparison of Illuminati, wrote, “Rod if you don’t hush up…. It’s giving Illuminati at this point.”
Rod if you don’t hush up…. It’s giving Illuminati at this point 🤣 https://t.co/AubOiCAZzu
— Black Princess Diana (@layla_job) January 20, 2024
With these and several other similar comments on the line, the fans made their choice clear. As the tournament is still going on and Novak Djokovic plays his fourth round, it still remains to be seen if he can win the support back by proving them wrong.
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A ‘miracle’ needed to stop Djokovic
While Rod Laver demanded a big honor for Novak Djokovic that the fans didn’t seem to accept yet, he also made other statements. Recognizing the Serb’s recent form, the legendary tennis figure found it hard to not highlight the difficulty players can face to stop him.
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“It almost unfolds in front of him, what he should be doing. He’s a great champion. He serves well. His ground strokes are unbeatable. I have to believe unless someone miraculously plays their best tennis to knock him off, they can start putting part of his initials on the trophy now, “ he said. As the fans don’t seem to be appreciating a legend’s statement, there surely is a big gap that Djokovic needs to fill up.
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