"That's not always just because of his tennis": Henman calls Djokovic a 'confrontational' character ahead of US Open

Monday, 28 August 2023 at 10:03

Tim Henman commented on Novak Djokovic's "confrontational" character just days before the start of the US Open.

The Serbian player has had several disagreements with the crowd throughout his career. Despite holding the record for the most Grand Slam titles in men's tennis with 23, Djokovic has encountered conflicts during his matches.

The most recent incident occurred at Wimbledon, where he faced boos from the crowd during the final against Carlos Alcaraz. Similar situations also arose in his semifinal match against Jannik Sinner.

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Former British tennis player Tim Henman mentioned that Djokovic generates controversies not only through his tennis achievements.

“He's always been a character that has slightly divided opinion and that's not always just because of his tennis and [could be down to] some of the decisions he has made off the court,” Henman said.

“But having watched him a lot, he's almost a confrontational character.”

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“So if he had 80 per cent of the crowd's support I still think he is the type of person who would focus on the [other] 20 per cent and use it to motivate him, to fire himself up. I find it fascinating that he does sometimes focus on what seems like individuals in the crowd that maybe are against him.

“But whatever way he approaches it, you can't deny it doesn't work for him because his results have just been incredible.”

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Starting from Monday, Djokovic will compete in the US Open as the second seed, following Alcaraz, the reigning champion of the tournament:

“For me I've talked about the rivalry of Alcaraz and Djokovic,” added the former British No 1.

“Djokovic is, in my opinion, still the man to beat. We shouldn't forget that he won the Australian Open, French Open, was in the final of Wimbledon in a fifth set. He hasn't had a bad year. And given his experience of him in Slams and his ability of him on hard courts, I definitely think he's the player to beat.”

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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