John McEnroe and Novak Djokovic’s checkered relationship is back in the headlines again due to controversy surrounding the Serbian’s latest injury, which flared up at the Australian Open
John McEnroe and Novak Djokovic often don’t see eye to eye (Image: (Image: Getty))
The relationship between tennis legends John McEnroe and Novak Djokovic has been a rollercoaster of emotions, swinging from friendly to confrontational.
Over the years, McEnroe has both criticised and staunchly supported the Serbian ace. This has led to a complex and newsworthy dynamic between the two.
Their latest disagreement has erupted after McEnroe suggested that Djokovic was overstating his injury at the Australian Open. Here, Mirror Sport takes a look at the troubled history between the pair.
Australian Open accusations
During Djokovic’s quarter-final match against Carlos Alcaraz in Melbourne, where he sought medical treatment, McEnroe expressed his scepticism on ESPN: “This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this routine,” he said. “Don’t be fooled.”
The 10-time Aussie Open champion was later forced to retire from his semi-final bout with Alexander Zverev. In response to the doubters, Djokovic even shared his MRI scans online, saying: “Thought I’d leave this here for all the sports injury ‘experts’ out there.” Now, at the Qatar Open, Djokovic has hit back at his detractors, explaining his decision to post the scan.
McEnroe has defended Djokovic in the past (Image:
(Image: Getty))
“I felt a fairly large group of people thought that it was not true and that my injuries were actually some kind of provocation on my part or to play strategic mental games with my opponents,” Djokovic said.
“Especially when it comes from some people who are really legends of the sport and who have a multi-million audience that listens to them when they broadcast the matches.”
McEnroe’s marriage claim
Back in 2017, McEnroe landed himself in hot water by insinuating that Djokovic and his wife were experiencing marital issues. The four-time US Open champion made the speculative allegations while covering Wimbledon for the BBC.
Responding, Djokovic said: “He’s very well-known for his kind of bold comments and not really caring too much about being politically correct, but saying whatever is on his mind. That’s all I can say. I really don’t take anything personal.”
Branding Djokovic ‘Darth Vader’
McEnroe once compared Djokovic to the Star Wars villain Darth Vader, even as he commended the Serbian player for calling out the Wimbledon crowd after a charged exchange. “What has he done that’s so bad?” McEnroe asked on the BBC in 2024.
“He competes as hard as anyone who’s ever competed? Is it the look where he’s from? He’s like the Darth Vader compared to two of the classiest acts we’ve seen play tennis – Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.”
McEnroe once claimed Djokovic would be the “bad guy” throughout his career (
(Image: Getty))
McEnroe debates Clare Balding over Djokovic
A debate heated up between BBC host Clare Balding and McEnroe regarding Djokovic’s reaction to the Wimbledon crowd in 2024. The pair clashed over the 24-time Grand Slam winner’s sarcastic “good night” to the audience, which he felt was jeering him.
“He has been battling this for his whole career,” McEnroe said. “I admire the guts that he had to say it there, that takes something because that’s in a way going to put more people against him.”
Balding responded: “I don’t think it’s any of that. I genuinely think, particularly here, I think it is that people root for an underdog and I think they always have done. I think they love it when it looks like in matches that it might be competitive.”
McEnroe blasts Covid-19 controversy
McEnroe didn’t hold back on the Covid-19 controversy surrounding Djokovic, criticising Australia’s handling of the situation in January 2022 due to the tennis star’s vaccination status. After initially winning a legal battle over his cancelled visa, Djokovic was ultimately deported just before the Australian Open began.
Djokovic’s vaccination status caused controversy in 2022 (Image:
(Image: Getty))
McEnroe revealed he messaged Djokovic during the ordeal but also openly questioned the entire incident. “It’s total BS,” he said. Furthermore, McEnroe praised Djokovic’s determination to play at the Australian Open despite not being vaccinated, calling him “gutsy” and acknowledging his right to personal beliefs. “He’s got very strong beliefs. He’s entitled to those beliefs,” McEnroe said.
However, McEnroe expressed confusion over a BBC report that cast doubt on the timing of Djokovic’s positive Covid test, which was used as part of his entry into Australia. “That makes absolutely no sense to me,” he said. “The guy’s not stupid. He’s smart. So, already, I’m like, ‘What?.'”
McEnroe’s “bad guy” claim
McEnroe issued a warning to Djokovic back in 2020, telling him he’d have to get used to being cast as the “bad guy” for the remainder of his career following his disqualification from the US Open after accidentally hitting a line judge with a ball.
Speaking to ESPN, McEnroe said: “The pressure just got to him, I think. A lot’s been going on off the court, it’s obviously affected him and now whether he likes it or not he’s going to be the bad guy for the rest of his career.
“It was a rookie mistake made by him to hit a ball back where he wasn’t even looking where he was hitting it. He’s been there and done that, and certainly, I know from some experience that you’ve got to be careful out there.”
Djokovic later expressed his remorse on Instagram, writing: “This whole situation has left me really sad and empty. I checked on the lines person and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling OK. I’m extremely sorry to have caused her such stress.”
