MELBOURNE — The pursuit of history is often a lonely road, paved with immense pressure and relentless scrutiny. For Novak Djokovic, chasing an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title at the 2024 Australian Open, that pressure boiled over in a startlingly tense exchange with a journalist, revealing the frayed edges of a champion operating under the weight of his own legacy.
The incident occurred after Djokovic’s hard-fought second-round victory over home favorite Alexei Popyrin, a four-set battle that saw the world No. 1 save multiple set points to avoid being pushed to a fifth. While the match was a testament to his legendary resilience, the post-match press conference became a flashpoint. A reporter’s line of questioning, which Djokovic perceived as an attempt to "create a story" about his form and body language, triggered a sharp and visceral reaction from the 10-time Australian Open champion.
A Tense Exchange in the Press Room
The atmosphere shifted when a journalist noted that Djokovic had not been "playing like his usual self" and inquired about his on-court demeanor and apparent frustrations. Djokovic, who had been discussing the match, fixed his gaze on the reporter. "What would you like me to say?" he retorted, his tone turning cold and direct.
The reporter clarified they were simply observing his body language. Djokovic’s response was immediate and cutting: "You can interpret it any way you want. You can do whatever analysis you want. That's what you do. I'm here to win tennis matches and try to play the best that I can. Sometimes I play great; sometimes I play less great." He then posed a question of his own, his voice laden with exasperation: "I don't know what you want me to say. What is wrong with you?"
The room fell silent. The moment laid bare the immense strain Djokovic is under in Melbourne, where he is not just defending a title but chasing a monumental milestone. The exchange highlighted the often-fraught relationship between an athlete in the crucible of competition and the media’s duty to probe. For Djokovic, the questions felt like a narrative being woven around perceived vulnerability, a narrative he was determined to shut down emphatically.
The Weight of History on His Shoulders
The context for Djokovic’s reaction is critical. His goals at this tournament are colossal:
- Grand Slam No. 25: To break the all-time record he currently shares with Margaret Court.
- Australian Open No. 11: To extend his own male record and further cement his status as the "King of Melbourne."
- Weeks at No. 1: To continue his relentless march toward 420 weeks at the top of the ATP rankings.
Every match is a step toward immortality, and every minor stumble is magnified. His first two rounds were uncharacteristically bumpy. Against 18-year-old qualifier Dino Prižmić in the first round, Djokovic was pushed for over four hours. Against Popyrin, he was on the brink of going two-sets-to-one down. The physical toll, though manageable, combined with a rumored wrist issue and an apparent illness, provided fertile ground for questions about his dominance.
Yet, his defiance in the press room mirrored his defiance on the court. After saving four set points in the third set against Popyrin, he roared at his player’s box, a release of pent-up intensity. "You guys, too! Wake up!" he shouted, a demand for energy that reflected his own internal fire.
The Champion's Mindset and Media Scrutiny
This is not the first time Djokovic has clashed with the press, but the rawness of the "what is wrong with you?" comment was particularly striking. It underscores a champion’s hyper-focused mindset, where any line of questioning not directly related to problem-solving and victory can feel like a distraction or an attack. In his view, discussing negativity or doubt is an invitation for it to manifest.
Tennis legends and analysts were divided in their interpretation. Some saw it as a justified pushback against manufactured drama, while others viewed it as a sign of the palpable pressure finally seeping through his usually impervious mental armor. Regardless, the episode served as a stark reminder that for all his mechanical excellence on the court, Djokovic’s journey is fueled by deep, human emotion.
In subsequent rounds, Djokovic’s form visibly sharpened. He dispatched 30th seed Tomás Martín Etcheverry and 12th seed Taylor Fritz with increasing authority, not dropping a set. The questions about his physical state began to fade, replaced by the familiar narrative of the champion peaking at the right time. The press conference tension, however, remained a defining subplot of the tournament’s first week.
The Path to the Record
As the tournament progressed into the second week, Djokovic found his rhythm. His movement, his serve, and his trademark elastic defense all clicked into a higher gear. Each straight-sets victory was a statement, a methodical silencing of the early-round doubts. He advanced to a semifinal clash with Jannik Sinner, the young Italian who had beaten him twice in their last three meetings.
The semifinal itself became a historic upset, with Sinner defeating Djokovic in four sets to deny him the final. The quest for the 25th Slam was paused, but the intensity of the journey—and the press room moment that captured its strain—remained emblematic of the era of Djokovic. It showcased the immense psychological burden of sustaining greatness, where every question can feel like a challenge to a throne he has fought decades to build.
Conclusion: The Price of Greatness
Novak Djokovic’s pointed rebuke, "What is wrong with you?", was more than a testy answer to a reporter. It was a window into the psyche of an all-time great at a critical juncture. It reflected the hypersensitivity that comes with carrying the expectations of history, where every gesture is analyzed and every off-day is potentially historic. While he did not claim the 25th title in Melbourne, the incident underscored that his path is watched with a microscope, and his reactions, both on and off the court, are part of the compelling drama of his relentless chase. The Australian Open 2024 will be remembered not just for the champion crowned, but for the moment the man chasing the most important title of his life reminded the world that even legends feel the weight of the crown.