Taylor Fritz gave his opinion on the controversial hindrance call made against Novak Djokovic during his semifinal match against Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon.
The incident occurred when the chair umpire penalized Djokovic with a point penalty for an extended loud grunt on a cross-court backhand shot, just as Sinner was about to hit the ball. The situation led to a heated discussion between Djokovic and the umpire, and Djokovic commented on it after his victory.
"The hindrance call earlier on today in the match could have changed the course of the match. I felt really nervous out there after that call but I managed to regroup and it was probably the first time in my career that this happened to me, it doesn't normally happen the extended grunt," Djokovic said after the match.
World No. 9 Taylor Fritz shared his opinion on social media, saying that although he didn't see the specific situation in the match between Sinner and Djokovic, he believes that some players do use grunting as a tactic to distract their opponents.
“I can’t speak to this specific instance because i didn’t see it. Novak doesn’t come to my mind when I think of this rule, BUT some players I can think of extend/delay grunts A LOT on big points to put you off and it needs to be called more by umpires,” Taylor Fritz tweeted.
I can’t speak to this specific instance because i didn’t see it. Novak doesn’t come to my mind when I think of this rule, BUT some players I can think of extend/delay grunts A LOT on big points to put you off and it needs to be called more by umpires.
The umpire just gave Jannik Sinner a point due to Novak Djokovic extending his grunt. He called a hindrance because he believed it was a distraction while Jannik was hitting the ball.
Some fan responded to Fritz mentioning Alcaraz:
Nah his is consistent and if he ever extends it it’s when he blasts a winner so doesn’t matter 😂
Novak Djokovic showed great resilience after the penalty, ultimately winning the match 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4). In the final, he will face Carlos Alcaraz, who advanced after defeating Daniil Medvedev. This will be Djokovic's 9th final at the All England Club, where he has won the trophy 7 times (the last four consecutively) and lost only one final to Andy Murray in 2013.
