Tennis players are expected to follow behavior rules established by the ATP and WTA on and off the court when they are competing at events but sometimes their emotions get way ahead of them. At the 2011 Wimbledon Championship, Serena Williams was fined $10,000 for throwing a racket during training that damaged the court. At the same Wimbledon this season, Novak Djokovic was fined £6,117 for smashing his racquet against the net post during his loss to Carlos Alcaraz.
In yesterday’s overwhelming victory over Holger Rune at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, Novak Djokovic was seen smacking two rackets during the third set.
Novak Djokovic mangles racket in Rune’s clash
Novak Djokovic and Holger Rune spent more than three hours on court and finished well after midnight, in which the 36-year-old Serbian claimed a 7-6 (4) 6-7 (1) 6-3 win. However, frustration did boil over for Novak Djokovic at the start of the third set. When he broke straight away to start the third set, only for this time did Rune recover the deficit immediately, prompting a frustrated Djokovic to stamp on two rackets, snapping the frames.
“It means a lot,” said Djokovic of ensuring he will end the year as World No. 1. “You could see there were a lot of emotions on the court. I could feel it. I was very eager to win tonight’s match, get that monkey off my back. I won Paris, which put me in a much better position rankings-wise, and I knew coming into Turin I only needed to win one match. A big goal is achieved, everything else now is a bonus.”
Holger delivered a powerful signal of his intent on the opening point of the match by crushing a stunning backhand return winner past Djokovic in the second set. The first set was a pulsating battle that lasted 72 minutes, and Djokovic began to move his opponent around the court more effectively.
“I thought he played great,” said Djokovic. “I played great at some moments. At some moments I dropped the level, but overall a win is a win. It was a very emotional win and a tough win because of the significance of tonight’s match, obviously knowing that if I won I was going to clinch the year-end No. 1.”
Novak Djokovic would be hoping for what would be his 7th Nitto ATP Finals win but would be hoping he doesn’t get fined at the end of the event.
Potential fine for Djokovic’s outburst
According to the ATP rulebook, a racquet abuse violation can cost the player up to $500 per occurrence. Here is the official statement on the ATP rulebook:
“Players shall not violently, dangerously or with anger hit, kick or throw a racquet or other equipment within the precincts of the tournament site. For purposes of this rule, abuse of racquets or equipment is defined as intentionally, dangerously and violently destroying or damaging racquets or equipment or intentionally and violently hitting the net, court, umpire’s chair, or other fixture during a match out of anger or frustration. ii) Violation of this section shall subject a player to a fine up to $500 for each violation.”
At the Wimbledon final loss to Carlos Alcaraz in July, Djokovic was fined $8,000 for racket abuse after a frustrating serve in the fifth round.
The incident meant that Novak Djokovic, who had earlier been pulled up for a time violation, was immediately issued a code violation by umpire Tim Murphy.
With that frustrating loss in July still in Djokovic’s memory, will a likely fine put a scare on the hopes of the Serbian star? Tell us in the comments section.
