Djokovic ‘big fan’ of Collins’ Melbourne crowd reaction; Alcaraz advances | Tennis news
Novak Djokovic has backed Danielle Collins over her cheeky response to hostile fans at the Australian Open and says the sport could afford to take itself a little less seriously.
Collins was blowing kisses to the booing crowd and thanking them for paying for her next five-star holiday after defeating local Destanee Aiava in the second round on Thursday. Djokovic, who endured constant jabs from a fan during his third-round win on Friday, said he had a lot of sympathy for Collins and thought she handled the situation well.
“I loved her reaction,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion told reporters with a laugh. “I liked it. Everything she said on the field, off the field. Big Danielle Collins fan after that. I used to be, but now, a big fan. I think she was funny, smart and just a huge fan of what she did.”
Regarding the broader question of whether tennis is too conservative a sport, Djokovic said that the sport is rightly proud of its history and tradition. “At the same time, I think we’ve been a little behind other sports with changes and trying to keep up with the development of society and the new generation that we all know don’t have as much attention,” he said.
“So, for example, the last few years I think we just have this new rule where people can come in even if it’s not a change. So I guess that’s one way to really try to open up a little bit more and not have hard and fast rules.”
With the exception of Wimbledon, which Djokovic said he “wouldn’t change much”, the Serb said he would like to see some fun during breaks in play. “I think they should try to connect more with younger people and bring them in,” he added.
“For example, why don’t we think about doing something between sets like the Super Bowl or, I don’t know, the NBA, right?
“When it’s timeout, the dancers come and this and that. I wouldn’t have a problem with that. … I feel like it would bring more of a fun element and fun to tennis which we know is quite traditional and maybe conservative in some things.
“So I’m in favor of that, just like I’m in favor of gradual changes. Dancers first.”
Đoković and Alcaraz on their way to the Australian Open match
Djokovic, who won 10 of his 24 Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open, overcame some mid-match breathing difficulties in his third-round contest to see off world No. 26 Tomas Machac 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 on the night.
The 37-year-old was in his old form, stepping up his serve to break his Czech opponent. “For me, the best match in the tournament. “I didn’t have too many drops in concentration and level of tennis,” he said.
“I think I prepared very well and played a great match. I’m very happy with my game.”
After Collins’ reaction to the crowd in Melbourne, And Djokovic pointed to his ear, and then someone in Rod Laver Arena is standing at the end of his match. “I’m very hot right now,” said the fiery Serb.
Djokovic is likely to face Carlos Alcaraz in the round of 16 as the French Open and Wimbledon winner continued to claw his way through the draw despite dropping his first set of the tournament in his 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3 ), a 6-2 win over Nuno Borges.
“I’m just very happy with my level,” said the 21-year-old. “It could be better. I made a lot of mistakes I shouldn’t have made, … but overall I’m happy and I have things to fix in the approach to the next match.”
Alcaraz will now face No. 15 Jack Draper of Great Britain, who defeated Aleksandar Vukic 6-4, 2-6, 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(8).
Other men’s third-round winners include world number two Alexander Zverev and number 12 Tommy Paul.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina had a much tougher road than many of his contemporaries, coming back from two sets down for the second straight match to save two match points to get past 19-year-old Jakub Mensik 3-6, 4-6. , 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-2.
Fokina is the first man since 2005 to win back-to-back in Australia after trailing 0-2 in sets. “All these years I had a lot of ups and downs,” said Davidovich Fokina. “This year I decided to fight for every point.”
