Tim Henman ripped the Australian Open crowd’s decision to boo Novak Djokovic as “totally wrong” as the former British star thinks the Serb didn’t deserve that treatment.
After taking an off-court medical timeout during a quarterfinal win over Carlos Alcaraz, the 37-year-old admitted he was concerned but expressed hope he would be able to play in his next match.
And although he didn’t practice for two consecutive days, he still went out to the court for his semifinal match against Alexander Zverev.
But after losing the first set, Djokovic decided to call it a day due to a muscle tear in his left leg.
As soon as the crowd realized that the Serb retired, they started booing very loudly and the record 10-time Australian Open champion was booed off the court.
Novak Djokovic© X screenshot
Henman: Djokovic absolutely didn’t deserve to be booed off the court
“You dig a bit deeper, in my opinion, he’s always craved the affection that has been shown to [Roger] Federer and [Rafael] Nadal,” the former six-time Grand Slam semifinalist told Sky Sports.
“He absolutely doesn’t deserve to be booed off the court, in the semis of a slam, when he’s had to retire.
“I, like a lot of people, said I think they got it totally wrong. For someone that is going for their 11th Australian Open title, and their 25th slam, to have pulled out after a set, he was obviously in a bad way.
“For him to be booed in that moment, I think it’s pretty indefensible.”
After the match, Djokovic said that he could understand that some weren’t happy that they paid for their tickets and didn’t get to watch a full match.
But then, the former world No. 1 also cheekily remarked that certain people should pause for a moment and also think about what he has given to the Australian Open throughout his career.
Currently, the 37-year-old is sidelined as he missed Serbia’s Davis Cup tie against Denmark this week.
Tennis World USA