Serbia’s Novak Djokovic is facing widespread condemnation for breaking his racquet in anger during his bronze medal match, which he lost to Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta in three sets 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3. What has made Djokovic a villain on social media was his subsequent decision to pull out of the mixed doubles bronze medal match citing injury.
Djokovic pulling out of the mixed doubles match meant that Australia’s Ash Barty and John Peers won the bronze medal in that event. This also meant that, for no fault of her own, Djokovic’s partner Nina Stojanovic was denied a medal.
Earlier, during his bronze medal match, Djokovic grew increasingly frustrated as the defeat became imminent for him. On one occasion he threw his racquet into the empty stands. Moments later, he destroyed his racquet by violently hitting into the net and on the court. This earned him a verbal warning from the chair umpire.
Soon, it emerged that the Serbian tennis star had withdrawn from the mixed doubles bronze medal match. The announcement irked netizens, who took to social media to vent their frustration.
There’s no greater sight in sports than watching Djokovic lose and then have a little tantrum. Absolute. Prick.
— Trent of Trunkman (@TrunkmanUK) July 31, 2021
Olympics: Djokovic loses to Pablo Carreno Busta in bronze-medal match
–
He should’ve been defaulted again. But PCB won the good old-fashioned way.
Typical Djoker to suddenly develop an ‘injury’ and abandon his MX partner to storm off in a tantrum.
Diva.
https://t.co/xa4TUFz2b5— ArdentArchivist (@ArdentArchivis1) July 31, 2021
Djokovic showed no class withdrawing from doubles, letting his teammate down. It's been a bad couple days for the Serb but you at least let your compatriot fight with you for one medal. Not good enough. Federer and Nadal would not have withdrawn in that scenario.
— Mason (@Suspended_Rafan) July 31, 2021
If djokovic throwing and smashing his racquet in a third place match just for losing points isn’t the lack of the Olympic spirit idk what is . Losing your shit does not suit a world champion. That’s why he’ll never reach Federer and Nadal’s level.#TokyoOlympics2020 pic.twitter.com/mliSmPZYdz
— Nilay (@wyanilay) July 31, 2021
Carreno Busta on Djokovic not getting a point penalty after throwing his racket: "Maybe it's difficult to ensure compliance with the rulebook when the world No. 1 is playing…"
— Luigi Gatto (@gigicat7_) July 31, 2021
In an extraordinary development, top seed Djokovic was disqualified from the last year’s US Open tennis championship after he accidentally hit a line judge with a tennis ball in frustration. The development had place during the Serbian’s fourth-round match against 20th seed Carreno Busta.
Djokovic’s latest conduct has come under intense scrutiny also because of his stature as a legendary tennis star. Djokovic recently joined Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal after he won his 20th Grand Slam at Wimbledon. Both Federer and Nadal too have won 20 career Grand Slams.