Age has not mellowed Djokovic, he will play the pantomime villain until the end
The potential outcomes of Wimbledon 2024 have tennis fans eagerly anticipating the final matches. Indeed, will it be Elena Rybakina who wins her second Wimbledon title and will Novak Djokovic succeed in stopping a potential changing of the guard? Perhaps the latest tennis outright odds will shine some light on what might happen during the conclusion of Wimbledon 2024.
Latest Wimbledon odds
Tellingly, the latest Women’s Wimbledon betting odds suggest that Rybakina will win her first Wimbledon title since 2022 at odds of 11/10.
Similarly, the latest tennis odds for the men’s category indicate that Djokovic has a good chance of stopping those players seeking to dethrone him.
While the best women’s players in the world will undoubtedly produce jaw-dropping moments as a champion is crowned, the goings-on in the men’s event, specifically Djokovic’s post-match behaviour, has made for particularly entertaining viewing during Wimbledon 2024.
Djokovic takes on Centre Court
Indeed, the Serb has reminded the watching world that he is willing to play the pantomime villain until the very end.
This was proven beyond doubt after Djokovic won his round of 16 match. During the customary on-court interview for the winner, Djokovic launched a stunning tirade at a section of the crowd that he believed had been booing him during his match.
John McEnroe is on Novak Djokovic’s side after the Serbian’s fiery row with the #Wimbledon crowd ? pic.twitter.com/6JVRlpJVTV
— Eurosport (@eurosport) July 10, 2024
The interviewer tried to defuse the situation by saying that the crowd at the All England Club might have been chanting his opponent’s name instead of booing Djokovic.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion wasn’t willing to entertain this explanation and went on to say that he had played in far more hostile environments around the world and that the Wimbledon crowd ‘couldn’t touch him.’
Such a fiery response from Djokovic might have caught some fans off guard. The Serb has, after all, won the most Grand Slams in men’s history and has a net worth of close to a quarter of a billion pounds.
Essentially, he doesn’t necessarily have to worry about a few boos from a portion of the crowd at Centre Court.
Djokovic thrives on conflict
However, it is this feistiness that has driven Djokovic to greatness. In essence, this is a man who has been out to prove a point throughout his whole career. It is a consequence of playing in the most competitive era in tennis history, as Djokovic had to build a legacy while competing against Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal. While Djokovic could hold his own on court, he would, at times, lose the public relations battle.
Novak Djokovic walked away from our post-match interview last night after we asked him about his reaction to some of the Centre Court crowd.#BBCTennis #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/JoCnVzRCm9
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 9, 2024
You could go as far as to say that as a result, Djokovic always saw himself as the least popular of the three and therefore used that to fuel his desire to make a point.
Now, so late in the day of his career, he is still willing to pick up on any crumb of dissent from the terraces and turn it into motivation.
It’s safe to say that if age hasn’t mellowed Djokovic by now, then it never will. At least, while the Serb is playing at the heights level of professional tennis, he will continue to fight anyone on the path to victory.
