© Getty Images Sport – Dean Mouhtaropoulos
Justine Henin thinks Novak Djokovic is done with trying to please fans as the former Belgian seven-time Grand Slam champion feels the Serb no longer wants to act nice toward those who are giving him “hostile” treatment. In recent years, Djokovic made an effort to improve his relationship with the crowd all over the world.
But some things seemingly never change as Djokovic is still receiving boos in pretty much every big tournament. That was also the case throughout this year’s Paris Masters as there was one match in which an annoyed Djokovic was even encouraging the Parisian crowd to boo him harder.
In the end, Djokovic had the last laugh since he left Paris with his seventh title at Paris.
Henin: Djokovic is no longer there to please fans
“We know that it is not always pleasant to have the public who, all of a sudden, become hostile and support the opponent.
And very intelligently, he cuts short what is happening and at the same time he remobilizes himself. He has a lot of experience at this level. But I still think that in relation to this question of the public, he is distancing himself more and more, he is no longer there to please, he is there to play and win and I think that by finally doing so, it still appeals to a lot of people,” Henin said on Eurosport.
Meanwhile, Djokovic had a cheeky message for the Parisian crowd after beating Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-3 in the Paris final. “When I asked the audience to boo at me a little more, I won eight points in a row. But I didn’t do anything to provoke the audience, that’s how it is.
Is the Parisian crowd special? That’s a good word, they are special… Very special,” Djokovic said after his Paris win. It remains to be seen how will Djokovic be welcomed in Turin next week.
