Entering Sunday’s Men’s Wimbledon Final, Novak Djokovic had a chance to break the all-time Open record for Grand Slam titles. But first, he had to overcome the young superstar and current world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz.
While some expected Djokovic to cruise, Alcaraz gave the arguable tennis GOAT all he could handle in an epic five-set match. And when Alcaraz started to pull away in the fifth set, winning a crucial break en route to his first-ever Wimbledon title, Djokovic predictably lost his cool in the worst way.
He does, after all, have a history.
In this case, the Serbian athlete once again smashed and completely destroyed his racquet against the post like a child, showing anything but the grace and composure of a champion.
Djokovic smashes his racket… #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/Et1j005pjy
— sports CAST 🏈🏀⚽️ (@thesportscast1) July 16, 2023
The least Djokovic can do in a tough loss is not … destroy things. There’s something to be said for discretion and taking a defeat in dignity. This was a terrible look for someone who carries themselves like an all-time great.
This was how tennis fans reacted to Djokovic's racquet smash
The Umpire watching Djokovic smash his racket on the net post pic.twitter.com/7YD2aSajQz
— Jack Dixon (@jackdixon24) July 16, 2023
Great racket smash from Djokovic that’s textbook stuff
— Tate Frazier (@tatefrazier) July 16, 2023
Really against the BBC commentators claiming Djokovic’s racquet smash was normal #Wimbledon
— hatty (taylor’s version)🩵 (@jetblackhatty) July 16, 2023
There’s no reason to be safe in criticising Djokovic’s racket smash – it’s not even in the moment. He has a good few seconds to think about what he’s doing. If Kyrgios had done that, fairly sure the reaction would be different…
— Richard Newman (@rich_newman) July 16, 2023
This is exactly why Novak will never be loved as much as Federer and Nadal were. Childish bratty behaviour like this when he’s got no one to blame except himself. #Wimbledon https://t.co/yJeEmmidLr
— Ali Aljoubory (@AliAljoubory) July 16, 2023
Again this is why the GOAT debate will never be just about the statistics lol https://t.co/W1huiLCgLQ
— Arya-_- (@lame_impala16) July 16, 2023
Stay classy.. https://t.co/BOPD3DQzAN
— Eva (@ekrausej) July 16, 2023
Djokovic injuring his wrist by being a petulant little boy and slamming his racquet into the post is the most Djokovic thing to ever happen. #Wimbledon
— Anna G (@__AnnaBella__) July 16, 2023
Djokovic's new racquet looking at his old one in his bag pic.twitter.com/WXe4qhti8e
— Derek 🇺🇦 (@relandrek) July 16, 2023
