Novak Djokovic’s rivals claimed they would always lose when the crowd turned against him (Image: Getty)
’s rivals have confessed that they share the same fear when it comes to facing the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Denis Shapovalov and Thanasi Kokkinakis sat down with newly-retired Dominic Thiem to discuss what it felt like to play the greatest players.
And the two active players made a desperate plea as they urged tennis crowds not to “p***” Djokovic off.
Djokovic has been causing trouble for generations of tennis players. The Serb burst onto the scene later than and but he went on to surpass their records and now holds the most Major titles in the Open Era, plus the most all-time weeks at No. 1.
Now aged 37, he’s still posing a threat to young stars. Djokovic maintained his dominance against the original ‘next gen’ group of players – , , Daniil Medvedev – and he can still hang with young guns and .
Shapovalov, who turned 25 this year, and 29-year-old Kokkinakis also found themselves caught up in Djokovic’s prime and they discussed how difficult it was to face the Serb – especially when fans started rooting against him.
“At the start – because Federer was always really welcoming, especially when you were younger, same as Rafa – but Novak was like, ‘f***, this guy doesn’t lose’ and just drinks juices all day,” Kokkinakis said, earning laughs from the rest of the table.
Denis Shapovalov and Thanasi Kokkinakis spoke about facing Novak Djokovic (Image: X @uts_tour_)
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Shapovalov has a 0-8 lifetime record against Djokovic and, even while playing his best tennis, admitted there was no way of getting past the current world No. 7.
The Canadian replied: “I remember Paris [Masters], the year I made finals, I played him in the finals. And I was thinking, because I heard rumours that he’s been sick all week, you know? And he was drinking his juices, like you said.
“He’s drinking stuff all the time. I’m like, ‘Dude, I’ve got him. I’m playing the best tennis of my life. The guy is not feeling good. He’s not 100 per cent.’ Like you said, this is my chance! This is it. No chance, the guy was toying with me.”
And there was one thing that really riled Djokovic’s rivals up. Kokkinakis continued: “And the worst is if the crowd makes him p***ed. If he gets p***ed and starts yelling at the crowd, pack your bags.”
Shapovalov interjected: “No, no, no. It’s over. Then it’s over.” Even Thiem, who retired this year and had a 5-7 record against Djokovic, chimed in and agreed.
The former world No. 3 added: “No but it’s so bad! Like, please, crowd, please be quiet.”
Shapovalov and Kokkinakis made the same plea. “Don’t p*** him off,” recent Belgrade champion Shapovalov said. The Aussie added: “Just keep him happy! Keep him happy.”
While Thiem doesn’t have to worry about facing the Serb again – unless they meet in an exhibition one day – Shapovalov and Kokkinakis will be hoping that crowds listen to their plea when they next step onto the court to play Djokovic.