Novak Djokovic walked off to boos ringing throughout the Arthur Ashe Stadium after he lost to Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka in the fourth round of the 2019 US Open.
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Djokovic was down two sets to love and a break in the third when he decided to retire from his match but ugly scenes followed as the defending champion was booed out of the arena following his decision.
The Swiss 2016 US Open champion won the first set convincing but would have been even prouder of his effort in the second when he came down from a break to pouch it 7-5. He was up a break in the third when Djokovic opted to play it safe with his shoulder.
The injury had been troubling him right from the beginning of the tournament, and Djokovic had revealed it after his second round win over Juan Ignacio Londero that he was hoping it settles down as the tournament progresses.
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A routine third round win over Denis Kudla raised those hopes but he was in a tough spot in this match against Wawrinka, taking medical timeouts in both the first two sets.
After retiring against Stan Wawrinka Novak Djokovic is booed by tennis fans in New York at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Harsh. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/kakrRWm2Q7
— Omar Moore (@thepopcornreel) September 2, 2019
However, things seem to have come to head when he opted to walk out, leaving Wawrinka a winner and with a record to boot. He now has the second-most number of wins against Djokovic, five and will hope he can push on against a man who has shown some brilliant form in recent times.
Wawrinka admitted it wasn’t the best way to make it through to the next round. He said:
“It’s never the way you want to finish the match. I feel sorry for Novak.”
Question Djokovic’s form but don’t question his toughness at this stage of his career. He has proven his resilience repeatedly: best recent example the 2019 Wimbledon final. He didn’t stop tonight simply because he was losing.
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) September 2, 2019
That separates Djokovic from Nadal and Federer. He will be always be number 3 .
— Sachin Gupta (@sachin_s_gupta) September 2, 2019
Couldn’t Handle the L and quit. Most disliked player on tour lol.
— Lachy ?? (@Loftus_Cheeky) September 2, 2019
Anyone who questions Djokovic’s toughness or fight hasn’t been paying attention.
— cgator41 (@cgator41) September 2, 2019
It’s just a coincidence he waited until he was down two sets and a break?
I’m not saying he should be booed, but it’s obvious he threw in the towel bc the match became hopeless. You honestly believe he physically couldn’t go four more games?
— Daniel (@dmm12345) September 2, 2019
Crowd booing him was sickening.
— Jacob Kisamore (@mr_irrelevantJK) September 2, 2019
Culture difference. I think if this game were played in Japan that the fans in the stadium would applause Djokovic for trying, even if he was retiring from the game. The boos remind me of last summer and Naomi Osaka’s award ceremony.
— ?Food Sake Tokyo? (@YukariSakamoto) September 2, 2019
Novak Djokovic booed as he leaves the court and gives the crowd a sarcastic thumbs up on his way out.
— George Bellshaw (@BellshawGeorge) September 2, 2019
The New York crowd booing Daniil Medvedev is one thing.
But booing a three time @usopen champion in Novak Djokovic, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury, is NOT COOL.
But hey, this is the same crowd that booed Naomi Osaka. #USOpen #USOpen2019 ?
— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) September 2, 2019
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