Djokovic smashing racquet during Wimbledon final defeat adds to his list of loser meltdowns on court

After an exhilarating 14 days of tennis, Carlos Alcaraz Garfia has secured his place in the history books as the new Wimbledon champion. His triumphant journey has captured the hearts of many, except for his finals opponent, Djokovic.

What

Wimbledon 2023 treated us to a star-studded and thrilling tournament, leaving us with a deserving champion and a myriad of memorable match moments. And when we say "match moments," we encompass both the ecstasy of victory and the agony of defeat.

In an intense final on Sunday (July 16), Carlos Alcaraz emerged victorious over Novak Djokovic, one of the tournament's most successful players. The Spaniard achieved a hard-fought 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 triumph over the four-time defending champion Djokovic, a result that clearly unsettled him.

The slam's seven-time champion had succeeded in clinching the fourth set, despite two consecutive losses to Alcaraz. However, when the Spaniard earned a point after an intense rally, the Serb lost his temper and smashed his racquet against the net pole.

What followed

Djokovic's visible frustration stemmed from Alcaraz's growing dominance throughout the match. Even the crowd acknowledged the young Spaniard's exceptional technique, resulting in vocal support for him. This mounting pressure seemed to unsettle Djokovic.

In the fifth set, the 20-year-old Alcaraz broke Djokovic's serve in the third game, further fueling the Serbian's anger. Unfortunately, Djokovic unleashed his frustration on his racquet, smashing it against the net pole. Umpire Fergus Murphy issued him a warning for a conduct violation on the court.

How are people taking it?

Following the incident, a significant portion of the crowd turned against the defending champion, who initially had been the favored choice for victory among the two finalists.

Not only did the spectators express their discontent, but pundits, retired tennis players, and people across the internet also condemned Djokovic's unsportsmanlike behavior. They especially took issue with the fact that young Alcaraz had to witness this outburst in front of a packed gallery.

Not the first racquet

Djokovic has a history of letting his emotions get the best of him on the court, with multiple instances of anger outbursts during major grand slams over the years.

US Open 2021 FInal 

During the 2021 US Open final against Daniil Medvedev, Djokovic showed visible frustration in the second set. After losing the first set 6-4, Djokovic aimed for a comeback but ended up hitting a routine forehand beyond the boundaries.

This mistake triggered a meltdown, leading Djokovic to smash his racket, prompting questions about his sportsmanship.

In the bronze medal match at the Tokyo Olympics, Novak Djokovic faced Pablo Carreno Busta, and tensions rose when the Serbian let his temper flare up repeatedly. After losing a frustrating point, the world number one threw his racket into the stands. The tension escalated in the third set, as Djokovic aggressively smashed his racket at the net while trailing 3-0.

US Open 2020

Perhaps the most infamous outburst on the list was Djokovic's astonishing disqualification from the 2020 US Open during his fourth-round match against Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta. In a moment of frustration, Djokovic inadvertently hit a lineswoman in the throat with a ball, resulting in his disqualification.

One thing is certain: Djokovic is undoubtedly an exceptional tennis player and is often hailed as one of the greats. However, when it comes to managing his anger during high-pressure matches, the Djoker's actions raise significant concerns.