Ashes villain Ian Botham has criticised Australian Open fans who booed Novak Djokovic after the 10-time champion retired in his semi-final on Friday due to a groin injury.
In a bombshell moment on Rod Laver Arena, the Serbian superstar called it quits against Alexander Zverev following the completion of the first set won by the German.
As Djokovic, 37, made his way off Rod Laver Arena, he was greeted with boos and whistles by some sections of the crowd.
Botham couldn’t believe what he was seeing, and tweeted his frustration.
‘Very sad to hear the BOO’S at the Aus Open,’ he tweeted on X.
‘Djokovic is one of the greatest players of all time….can you imagine what he was going through having to pull out of the tournament !!
Ashes villain Ian Botham has criticised Australian Open fans who booed Novak Djokovic after the 10-time champion retired in his semi-final on Friday due to a groin injury
Decorated all-rounder Ian Botham couldn’t believe what he was seeing, and tweeted his frustration at the lack of respect shown towards Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic later told reporters ‘injury is the biggest enemy of a professional athlete’ amid speculation this was his last ever Australian Open
‘Respect….you are better than that AUSTRALIA.’
Botham’s tweet was met with a mixed response from sports fans.
‘Did you voice the same type of opinion regards the behaviour of the Longroom [at Lords] and crowds after Bairstow gate,’ asked one, referencing the 2023 Ashes series in the United Kingdom.
Another posted in response: ‘No you’re wrong. He’s a big boy. He [Djokovic] can take what he’s given.’
The decorated all-rounder did have an ally in fellow sporting great John McEnroe, who condemned the behaviour of the animated crowd.
‘They can’t possibly be booing him. Please,’ McEnroe said in commentary for Channel Nine.
‘He’s won this [tournament] 10 times. I mean, come on.
‘Clearly something was up. I mean, him and Rafa (Nadal) have dug deeper than any two players I have seen.
Second seed Alexander Zverev pleaded with the supporters to be ‘respectful’ after Novak Djokovic retired hurt
Tennis legend John McEnroe condemned the behaviour of the animated crowd when in commentary for Channel Nine
‘So to do that (boo), because he decided that he couldn’t go on after what he’s done here was absolutely ludicrous.’
Zverev also pleaded with the supporters to be ‘respectful’ and acknowledge the fact Djokovic has ‘given absolutely everything of his life to the sport the last 20 years.’
‘Please, guys — don’t boo a player when he goes out with injury,’ Zverev said.
‘I know everyone paid for tickets and everybody wants to see a great five-set match. But you have to understand for the past 20 years, Novak Djokovic has given tennis absolutely everything.
‘He has won this tournament with an abdominal tear, a hamstring tear. If he cannot continue with this match, it means he really can’t continue.’
Djokovic said he tried to push through the pain but was unable to continue.
‘I did everything I possibly can to manage the muscle tear that I had,’ he said.
‘Medications, the strap and the physio work helped to some extent today. But towards the end of that first set I just started feeling more and more pain.’
