- Ian Botham criticized fans for booing Novak Djokovic
- 'Beefy' tweeted his firm opinion on X on Saturday
- The Serbian followed with the Open due to injury
The villain of the ashes, Ian Botham, criticized fans of the Australian Open who booed Novak Djokovic after the ten times champion retired in his semifinal on Friday due to an injury to the groin.
At a explosive moment in the Rod Laver Arena, the Serbian superstar surrendered to Alexander Zverev after completing the first set won by the German.
While Djokovic, 37, left Rod Laver Arena, some sectors of the crowd received it with boos and whistles.
Botham couldn't believe what he was seeing and tweeted his frustration.
“It's very sad to hear the boos in Aus Open.” tweeted in X.
'Djokovic is one of the best players of all time … Can you imagine what was happening by having to retire from the tournament?
The villain of the ashes, Ian Botham, criticized the fans of the Australia Open who booed Novak Djokovic after the 10 times champion retired in his semifinal on Friday due to an injury to the groin.
Ian Botham awarded SUV could not believe what he was seeing and tweeted his frustration for the lack of respect shown towards Novak Djokovic.
Novak Djokovic later told reporters that “injuries are the greatest enemy of a professional athlete” amid speculation that this would be his last Australian open.
'Respect … You are better than that Australia.'
The Botham Tweet received a mixed response from sport fans.
“Did you express the same type of opinion regarding the behavior of the Longroom (in Lords) and the crowds after the Bairstow door?” Asked one, referring to the 2023 Ashes series in the United Kingdom.
Another published in response: 'No, you are wrong. He is a big child. He (Djokovic) can accept what they have given him. “
The off -road decoration had an ally in the great athlete John Mcenroe, who condemned the behavior of the lively crowd.
It is not possible that they are booing it. Please, “Mcenroe said in a comment for Channel Nine.
'He has won this (tournament) 10 times. I mean, come on.
'Something was clearly happening. I mean, he and Rafa (Nadal) have deepened more than any other player he has seen.
The second favorite, Alexander Zverev, begged fans to be “respectful” after Novak Djokovic retired injured.
The Legend of Tennis John Mcenroe condemned the behavior of the animated crowd in his comment for Channel Nine.
“So doing that (boo), because he decided that he could not continue after what he did here was absolutely ridiculous.”
Zverev also asked fans to be “respectful” and recognize the fact that Djokovic has “absolutely all over his life to sport during the last 20 years.”
“Please, boys, don't boo a player when he is injured,” Zverev said.
'I know that everyone paid tickets and everyone wants to see a great five -set match. But we must understand that during the last 20 years, Novak Djokovic has given absolutely everything to tennis.
'He has won this tournament with an abdominal tear, a tear in the Corva tendon. If you can't continue with this game, it means that you really can't continue. “
Djokovic said he tried to overcome the pain but could not continue.
“I did my best to control the muscular tear I had,” he said.
'Medication, belt and physiotherapy work helped a bit today. But towards the end of the first set I began to feel more and more pain. “