"The disrespect": Novak Djokovic faces backlash for presenting women's Ballon d'or award

Novak Djokovic has received backlash from football fans after he was chosen to present the women's Ballon d'Or award, with some recalling the World No. 1's past views on equal pay in tennis.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion attended the ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on October 30 to honor the greats of the current football generation. This came just a day before he was set to begin his campaign at the Rolex Paris Masters, where he will play in both singles and doubles. 

The Serbian player presented the Ballon d'Or féminin, which went to Aitana Bonmati. The Spanish footballer had a brilliant season at Barcelona and helped Spain to victory at the FIFA Women's World Cup earlier this year.

However, many football fans have expressed their confusion as to why Djokovic was chosen to present the biggest indivudal award for a sport that he doesn't play professionally.

This was especially controversial due to the fact that many of the men's awards at the ceremony were awarded by male football legends. David Beckham was chosen to give Lionel Messi the men's Ballon d'Or, while Gary Lineker was brought on to award Erling Haaland the Gerd Muller Trophy for best goalscorer. 

On top of this, many fans recalled Djokovic's past comments about equal pay in tennis, arguing that this confirmed him as a bad choice to present the Ballon d'Or féminin. In 2016, he said that male tennis players should be paid more due to the fact that they generated more interest. However, he has since apologised for these remarks and has become an advocate for equal pay in recent years.

"We are living in the year of women’s football and we’re holding the Ballon d’Or in their international window and having fkn Novak Djokovic present the award. The disrespect," wrote one fan on X.

"For Haaland, they brought on Lineker. At least do the equivalent for the Women’s award. Rapinoe? Marta? Keßler? But if it has to be a Man, at least let it be a real ally, like Wrighty. Djokovic? Ridiculous," added another.

"Nothing says ‘celebrate the achievement of female athletes’ like inviting a male athlete who advocated against equal pay to talk about himself and the completely different sport he plays," commented a third.

This was not the only controversy of the night, as many pointed out that there were fewer categories for female footballers in comparison to their male counterparts, and some accused rapper Rema, who was performing at the ceremony, of blanking the female players in the front row.

"so, to summarise:

1) the ceremony was held during a women's intl window so most nominees couldn't attend

2) the women who WERE there got blanked by a male performer

3) there's no women's equivalent of the Yashin trophy

3) the biggest award was presented by a dude from... tennis?" wrote one fan.