NEW YORK — The sight of Novak Djokovic, the most decorated male tennis player in history, weeping into a towel on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court was one of the most poignant moments of the 2021 US Open. His tears, however, were not solely of joy after a hard-fought victory to complete a Calendar Grand Slam; they were a complex release of immense pressure, profound relief, and the accumulated weight of a New York crowd's palpable, and at times perplexing, disapproval.
Djokovic has had a tough time at the US Open, not in terms of results—he is a three-time champion—but in terms of public perception and crowd support. For years, he has been cast as the villain in a city that often celebrates underdogs and rebels, a role that stands in stark contrast to the adoration showered upon his rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The 2021 final, a straight-sets loss to Daniil Medvedev that shattered his historic bid, was merely the crescendo of a long-standing, complicated relationship with the Flushing Meadows faithful.
The Tears of a Champion: More Than Just Defeat
Following his loss to Medvedev, Djokovic was visibly and understandably devastated. He buried his face in a towel, his shoulders shaking with sobs. In the subsequent ceremony, he fought to compose himself to address the crowd. These were not the tears of a sore loser but of a man who had carried the hopes of an entire sport on his shoulders for months. He was chasing the ultimate prize in tennis: a Calendar Year Grand Slam, a feat last achieved by Rod Laver in 1969.
The emotional toll was astronomical. Every match was played under a microscope, with the entire narrative of his season hanging in the balance. In his speech, he expressed this burden, saying, "Even though I have not won the match, my heart is filled with joy and I'm the happiest man alive because you guys made me feel very special on the court." This was a raw acknowledgment of the crowd's unexpected warmth during the final, a stark contrast to the boos that had echoed for him earlier in the tournament.
The Roots of Discontent: Why the US Open Crowd Boos
Theories abound as to why Djokovic has historically struggled to win over the New York crowd. Unlike the more reserved audiences at Wimbledon or the Roland-Garros faithful who adopted Nadal as their own, the US Open crowd is famously boisterous and opinionated. Their reasons for resistance towards Djokovic are multifaceted:
- The Timing of His Rise: Djokovic’s ascent to the top coincided with the peak of the Federer-Nadal rivalry, a era-defining duel that had captured the hearts of the tennis world. He was the interloper, the third wheel who disrupted a beloved binary narrative.
- Perceived On-Court Demeanor: Early in his career, Djokovic was known for retiring from matches and was sometimes criticized for his on-court dramatics. While he transformed his physique and mental fortitude to become the fittest player on tour, these first impressions proved difficult to completely erase for some spectators.
- The Underdog Complex: New York loves an underdog. For much of his career, even as World No. 1, Djokovic was often positioned as the antagonist facing a crowd-favorite underdog, from Andy Roddick to Juan Martín del Potro.
- The Federer-Nadal Effect: The sheer popularity of Federer and Nadal created a natural polarization. Many fans who adored one or the other saw Djokovic as the primary obstacle to their success.
Tennis great John McEnroe, no stranger to a contentious relationship with crowds, once summarized it by saying, "He's been public enemy number one for a long time... He's had to work for everything." Djokovic himself has often addressed it with a mix of humor and pain, famously mimicking his critics by sarcastically proclaiming, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's a villain, it's a villain!"
A Turning of the Tide? The 2021 Final and Beyond
The 2021 final, ironically, may have been a significant turning point. While the crowd was firmly behind Medvedev, there was a palpable shift in sentiment *towards* Djokovic as the match slipped away. The historic nature of his quest and the raw display of emotion humanized him in a way years of victories had not. They began to applaud his efforts and, ultimately, offered a standing ovation during his tearful speech. He was no longer just the champion; he was a vulnerable person who had dared greatly and fallen short.
In the years since, while he remains a polarizing figure globally due to his stance on vaccinations and other issues, his treatment at the US Open has been more nuanced. The crowd’s reaction is now less about a blanket dislike and more a reflection of the specific moment. He may still be booed for a perceived transgression or for facing a popular American player, but he is also now cheered for his incredible athleticism and longevity. As he noted in a recent press conference, "I don't know, you tell me. I don't know. I really don't know. Some people don't like me, and that's okay. I love myself."
Conclusion: A Complex Legacy in the Concrete Jungle
Novak Djokovic’s tears at the 2021 US Open were the culmination of a unique and pressurized journey through that season and his entire career. They represented the shattering of a dream but also a cathartic moment of connection with a crowd that had often been his adversary. The boos he has received throughout his career in New York are not a referendum on his greatness, which is indisputable, but a complex cocktail of timing, narrative, and the fickle nature of sports fandom.
His story at Flushing Meadows is a testament to his mental resilience. To compete and win at the highest level while facing such audible opposition requires a champion's spirit. While he may never receive the universal adoration bestowed upon Federer in New York, he has, through sheer will and breathtaking talent, earned a deep and complicated respect. The villain narrative is fading, slowly being replaced by the awe-inspired acknowledgment that we are witnessing one of the greatest competitors the sport has ever known.