Tim Henman has strongly criticized the Australian Open fans who booed Novak Djokovic off the court last month, calling their behavior “indefensible.”
Djokovic had to retire mid-match during his semi-final against Alexander Zverev, which prevented him from potentially securing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. Throughout the tournament, he was met with constant jeering from the crowd, and this hostility persisted even as he left Rod Laver Arena after withdrawing due to a hamstring injury.
Speaking to Mirror Sport, former British No. 1 Henman insisted there was no excuse for the crowd’s behaviour, though did acknowledge that Djokovic’s on-court antics often needlessly attracted trouble. “I think the fans got it totally wrong,” the 50-year-old said.
“For someone who is going for their 11th Australian Open title, their 25th slam, to pull out after a set, he’s obviously in a bad way. For him to be booed in that moment is pretty indefensible.
“However, I’m not on social media, but what I hear goes on with him and his fans, it’s chaos isn’t it. And there have been times when he’s probably attracted that. But he absolutely doesn’t deserve to be booed off court after he’s had to retire.”
Henman further speculated if Djokovic’s confrontational attitude on court might be driven by his wish to garner the same level of adoration that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal naturally attract.
“I think if you dig a bit deeper, in my opinion, he’s always craved the affection that’s been shown to Federer and Nadal,” he said.
“And some people I guess don’t like that, that he behaves in that way. But that whole thing isn’t really my scene. You look at what he’s achieved, you look at almost every stat and he’s the best in all of them. He’s phenomenal.”
Novak Djokovic, now 37, has always had a complex relationship with tennis fans. His fierce competitiveness, unshakeable confidence, and fiery on-court demeanor have garnered both staunch supporters and loud detractors over the years.
Many celebrate his relentless drive and indomitable spirit, while others are turned off by what they perceive as his brash assertiveness, especially when juxtaposed with the more reserved on-court personas of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
The situation intensified in January 2022 when Djokovic was deported from Australia for not being vaccinated against Covid-19. Initially granted an exemption by the Australian government to participate in the Australian Open, public outcry led to a policy reversal and his subsequent removal from the country.
Following this event, Djokovic’s firm position on the vaccination issue further entrenched his image as a divisive figure in both sports and politics. He clarified that he was not against vaccination per se but was a staunch advocate for bodily autonomy, even suggesting he’d be willing to end his tennis career for this principle.
This stance only inflamed his critics, which seems to have spurred Djokovic’s even more defiant match behavior. Today, wherever he competes, the 24-time Grand Slam champion often finds himself cast in the role of the antagonist – a role he has, at times, seemed to accept with enthusiasm.
His withdrawal from last month’s Australian Open extends his major title drought to 16 months, the longest since 2018. With just one more Grand Slam win, he could surpass Margaret Court to become the statistically greatest tennis player ever. However, with increasing injuries, the natural progression of age, and an ever-improving field of competitors, 2025 might be his critical window for success.
