Novak Djokovic during Jannik Sinner match at Wimbledon 2023
US Tennis star Taylor Fritz had his say on the Novak Djokovic grunt saga – here’s everything you need to know
During the Wimbledon semi-final match between Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner, Djokovic lost a point due to his grunting while Sinner was playing a shot.
Djokovic, who is the reigning Wimbledon champion and aiming to equal Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon titles, became extremely angry with British umpire Richard Haigh on the center court.
The incident occurred after Djokovic won the first set, when he grunted as Sinner was about to return the ball and subsequently slipped. In response, Haigh declared “Hinderance!” which left Djokovic shocked. The Serbian player fell to his haunches in a dramatic fashion and approached the umpire, who attempted to explain his decision while Djokovic vehemently protested. Ultimately, Djokovic reluctantly accepted the outcome and lost the point.
There have been a lot of debates regarding this incident on social media among fans. US Tennis star Taylor Fritz took to Twitter to share his thoughts regarding the incident. “I can’t speak to this specific instance because i didn’t see it. Novak doesn’t come to my mind when I think of this rule, BUT some players I can think of extend/delay grunts A LOT on big points to put you off and it needs to be called more by umpires”. This tweet has gone viral and fans are wondering, which are the players he is actually referring to!
Meanwhile, this incident couldn’t stop Novak Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, from securing a spot in the final at the All-England Club. He displayed his mastery on Centre Court and asserted his dominance by convincingly winning the opener with a score of 6-3.
Although Jannik Sinner had opportunities to break Djokovic’s service in two instances, he was unable to convert them and fell behind in the match. Djokovic ultimately won the match in straight sets, setting up a final showdown against Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday.
1. Rafael Nadal: The Spanish tennis player, known for his powerful groundstrokes and relentless fighting spirit, is also famous for his loud and distinctive grunting.
2. Novak Djokovic: The Serbian tennis star, widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, also has a notable grunt when he hits the ball. His grunting has been a subject of discussion and debate among tennis fans and players alike.
3. Jenson Brooksby – Brooksby’s playing style is characterized by his strong baseline game, consistency, and intelligent shot selection. He is known for his ability to construct points, mix up his shots, and make life difficult for his opponents. Many believe that he has the loudest grunt in the sport currently. .
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