Novak Djokovic stirred controversy by seemingly taunting Rafael Nadal’s passionate fans during their men’s singles second-round match at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Monday, July 29. Despite Djokovic’s dominant win over the Spaniard, his gesture was later criticized by many fans.
Djokovic and Nadal’s meeting at the 2024 Paris Olympics marked their 60th encounter, with Djokovic leading the head-to-head 30-29. Throughout most of the match, Djokovic set the pace, while Nadal struggled to find his form. Djokovic quickly took a 6-1, 4-0 lead.
However, spurred on by the Roland Garros crowd, Nadal won four consecutive games to level the set.
Despite this comeback, Nadal faltered during his service game at 4-4, allowing Djokovic to break his serve. Djokovic then served out the match, securing his win. After breaking Nadal’s serve, Djokovic turned to a section of Nadal’s fans, who had gone quiet, and pointed to his ear, suggesting he couldn’t hear them.
Novak Djokovic points to his ear as a sign to the crowd after breaking Rafa Nadal at the Olympics. pic.twitter.com/SaqvcD66Ts
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 29, 2024
One set of fans on X (formerly Twitter) blatantly disapproved of Djokovic’s behavior.
“This behavior is exactly why many people don’t like him,”
wrote a fan.
“So unappealing. And it wonders why he is so unpopular,”
commented another fan.
“That’s why he ain’t ever gonna be the GOAT,”
another fan chimed in.
“Guy never earns respect. Like NEVER,”
yet another fan wrote
Some fans argued that Novak Djokovic should be ashamed of his gesture, especially considering that this could very well be Rafael Nadal’s final appearance on Court Philippe-Chatrier, where he has won a record 14 French Open titles.
“Absolutely classless move, given that this was likely Rafa’s last singles match on Chatrier,”
a fan wrote.
“Such a sore winner. Even worse than a sore loser. He can’t stand it when the crowd cheers against him. Bruises the ego too much. Congrats, you beat an injured Nadal at the end of his career, who still managed to break you twice in the final set,”
another fan commented
“Against an old broken man get some shame,”
yet another fan weighed in.