John McEnroe is not holding back after Novak Djokovic withdraws from the Australian Open

On January 24, 2025By Littum

John McEnroe has blasted the Australian Open crowd for booing Novak Djokovic following the 37-year-old’s exit from the competition on Friday.

The tennis icon had gone into the showdown willing to play through the pain, having suffered a muscle injury during his four-set triumph over Carlos Alcaraz earlier in the week.

But Djokovic chose to leave the match after losing the first set – much to the dismay of those present.

Fans at the Australian Open booed the 10-time winner as he walked off the court, sparking a huge backlash online.

Novak Djokovic pulled out of his Australian Open match with Alexander Zverev on Friday

Reuters

And McEnroe, commentating for Australia’s Nine Network, was left stunned by their antics.

“They can’t possibly book him. Please! He said.

“He has won this 10 times. I mean, come on. I mean, definitely something was up.

“The guy is a battler. I mean, him and Rafa (Nadal) have dug deeper than any two players I’ve seen.

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“So for (Boo) to do that because he decided he couldn’t go on after what he’s done here, I thought was absolutely ridiculous, honestly.”

McEnroe wasn’t the only pundit stunned by the crowd’s decision for Jeer Djokovic as he walked away, potentially for the last time.

Former Australian Open tennis star John Millman was also unhappy, with the 35-year-old adding: “The crowds have been questioned a lot and rightly so.

“I just think it’s a bit much, some of the behavior has crossed the line and that you take the cake for me.

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“This is a guy who has won it 10 times, has some respect.

“He’s one of the greatest of all time, if not the greatest – he’s certainly the greatest on this court.

“I don’t care how much you paid for your ticket, have some respect.”

With Djokovic out, Alexander Zverev is now through to the Australian Open final.

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John McEnroe has blasted the Australian Open crowd for booing Novak Djokovic following the 37-year-old’s exit from the competition on Friday

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The German will battle either Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton when the event starts on Sunday.

And Zverev also criticized the Australian Open crowd for booing Djokovic, with the 27-year-old fuming: “Please, guys, don’t boo a player who leaves the court with an injury. I know everyone paid to be here and hope To see a great five-set match.

“But you have to understand that Novak Djokovic has given everything to this sport for 20 years.”

He continued: “There is nobody I respect more on the tour than Novak.

Novak Djokovic was hailed by Alexander Zverev after his Australian Open withdrawal

Reuters

“I’ve always been able to send him a message, call him when things weren’t going well.

“He’s helped me a lot. Last year in Shanghai, when things were really not going well after the US Open, we talked for hours.”