Djokovic is celebrated for the referee’s attack

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It was the third set in the quarterfinals between Djokovic and Rune at the ATP tournament in Rome when the Serb’s fuses blew. “What’s the drama of waiting between English and Italian to tell the score? Are you playing here or what?” he shouted towards referee Mohamed Lahyani (56). always announced in English and then in Italian.

Instead of criticism, the world star is now receiving praise for his referee attack on social media. “I have never seen a player directly criticize Lahyani’s performance, but it was too late. Good on Novak,” tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg wrote on Twitter after the incident. Rothenberg suspects referee Lahyani is one of the main characters in the upcoming season of Netflix’s tennis series “Break Point” and would therefore put on an over-the-top show. At the tournament in Indian Wells, the Swedish referee also wore a lapel microphone.

Djokovic in crisis?

And Djokovic’s opponent, Rune, also suffered from Lahyani. The young Dane called him “an absolute joke” after a controversial decision. In the end, Rune won the match in three sets 6:2, 4:6, 6:2 and advanced to the semifinals in Rome. Djokovic, on the other hand, had to pack his bags again.

For the 22-time Grand Slam winner, it is another setback in a difficult time. Since his victory at the Australian Open early this year, the “Djoker” seems to have sand in his gears. The top favorite failed earlier than expected at the tournaments in Dubai, Monaco, Serbia and now also in Rome and will lose his place at the top of the world ranking next week to youngster Carlos Alcaraz (20). He was forced to miss the Madrid Open at the end of April due to an elbow injury. Optimal preparation for the French Open, which starts on Monday, looks different.

Record hunt in Paris

Djokovic himself lamented the conditions after his departure from Rome: “This is probably the coldest and wettest tournament I’ve ever played here in Rome,” he said after his defeat to Rune. In these conditions it is very difficult for him to play. But he had words of praise for his opponent: “He played too well for me for long stretches of the game. In the third set I got off to a bad start. He kept his spirits up and deserved to win.”

Despite everything, Novak Djokovic will again be one of the top favorites at Roland Garros. There should be no lack of motivation: if the Serb celebrates his 23rd Grand Slam title in the French capital, he would overtake Rafael Nadal (37) and be the sole record holder. The Spaniard misses “his” French Open due to an injury. (byl)

Source : Blick