Novak Djokovic has been slapped with a fine of 8,000 US dollars for racket abuse in Wimbledon final against Carlos Alcaraz. The 7-time champion at SW19, Novak hit the wooden net post of the Center court out of frustration and uncontrolled anger after losing a service game.
On Tuesday, The All England Lawn Tennis Club has confirmed the 36-year old has been hit with penalty of 6,117 Sterling pounds for damaging the net post in his defeat against Carlos Alcaraz.
The 20-time Grand Slam Champion couldn’t hold his frustration after failing to break the 20-year old Spaniard and then losing his own serve in the decider of the Sunday final that recorded a classic contest at the Center court. Umpire Fergus Murphy who was already taking note of Serb’s consistent time violations, observed the tantrum just under his feet from a raised chair next to the net in the middle of the court to immediately issue a code violation to the red faced Novak.
“It was frustration. I had break points in the second game. Yeah, just tough, tough couple of points. He played amazing to break my serve, which was enough to win the fifth,” the Serbian superstar said after his record breaking 35th Slam final appearance.
After the net and racket abuse, the Serb gave the broken racket to a fan cheering in the front row of the packed stadium who was later pictured in the stands with the poor racket. The 23-time Grand Slam winner has a storied past and a history of rage getting better of him on big stages having already been disqualified in the US Open 2020 when he accidentally hit an elder line judge in his R4 match and ultimately receive an ejection off the court.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz who denied Djokovic his all-time record extending 24th slam and Federer’s record equally 8th Wimbledon title, earned second Grand Slam success of his career following his US Open win last year.