Match, interrupted

Fans booed Novak Djokovic when he quit after losing the first set to eventual finalist Alexander Zverev in the first major of the year. Chances are, they suspected the 10-time winner down under feigned injury to avoid embarrassment of walking through the twilight of his stellar career.

There is hardly any player who quit while leading, unless the injury is real. But Djokovic retired after he lost a tight tiebreak by the skin of his teeth. Had he won it, he would have tried another set. Speculative, agonize not with what if, realize what is.

But remember what was. It looked like the fans felt shortchanged for the tickets they paid, expecting a 5-set epic match between the insatiable and the hungry. Tennis fans plan their year around a grand slam only to watch an interrupted match. In sports, expect the unexpected. In life too, the world was interrupted when the crowned virus forced humanity to stand still, although some public men and women continued to steal while the people they avowed to serve suffer.

Or, they were simply rude. Just like those who unceremoniously welcomed some personalities who graced a religious activity. Easy to say it is not entirely religious but cultural. Does not justify just the same, by then they showed their manners. Or better yet, cowardice. Hecklers confront from a safe distance, in proximity they just look askance. They are the meanest bashers but the fakest well-wishers.

Or, they just don’t like the Serb. Had it been the kings of clay and grass who walked out on the match injured, fans would have sent them off standing in empathy. Djokovic may be the greatest in terms of statistics, but Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are most loved and respected. Just as Princess Diana was never crowned queen but in people’s hearts she reigned.

Djokovic does not deserve the hate either. He may not be the nicest, but is one of the funniest, at least for those who sense his humor, although everybody laughs when he mimics Nadal serving and ice queen Maria Sharapova. Gael Monfils is most entertaining. But he is busier unleashing his antics than winning points. But next to Nick Kyrgios, Djokovic looks meek. Different personalities, brought to fore while playing. It unwittingly reveals who they are. And Djokovic does not lack for history that explains how fans treat him today.