US Open tennis: one word proves Novak Djokovic doesn’t get it

COMMENT by James Matthey for news.com.au

Despite his red-hot winning streak in 2020, a series of mistakes have done Novak Djokovic’s reputation no favors.

He hosted the Adria Tour at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, ignoring all social distancing precautions and only canceled the exhibition event when multiple players, including himself, tested positive for coronavirus.

The world number one voiced skepticism about vaccines, improved the ability to make contaminated water drinkable with the power of the mind and was disqualified from the US Open on Monday for hitting a line down the throat with a ball.

Through much of the controversy that Djokovic has courted, a similar theme has emerged as a consequence.

After the Adria Tour was finally canceled, the Serb offered his version of an apology, but still pleaded not guilty by proclaiming that he never intended to hurt anyone.

“I am deeply sorry that our tournament caused damage,” he said. “Everything the organizers and I did last month, we did with a pure heart and sincere intentions.

“We believed that the tournament complied with all health protocols and the health of our region seemed in good condition to finally bring people together for philanthropic reasons.

“We were wrong and it was too early.”

Unfortunately, the virus does not avoid people just because they have a “pure heart and sincere intentions.”

Last month, Djokovic opened up to Christopher Clarey of the New York Times in an expansive piece designed to clear the air before beginning his US Open campaign and pursuit of an 18th Grand Slam title.

He could have profusely apologized for the Adria Tour, but again, the 33-year-old refused to fall on his sword.

Why should Djokovic be blamed when his “intentions” were good?

“We tried to do something with the right intentions,” Djokovic said. “Yes, there were some steps that could have been done differently, of course, but are they going to blame me forever for making a mistake?

“Whether it’s fair or not, you tell me, but I know the intentions were correct and correct, and if I had a chance to do the Adria Tour again, I would do it again.”

Strike two.

Djokovic seemed to do a little better after hitting the linesman in the throat. Although he shot out of Flushing Meadows without acknowledging his mistake in front of the press, a few hours later he posted a statement on Instagram that seemed genuine as he apologized for his stroke.

However, we find ourselves in a similar place with another reference to the incident being “so unintentional”.

That is why Djokovic argued with the officials who plan to expel him from the tournament. He didn’t mean to bring down the linesman, it was an accident, so why should he be punished?

What Djokovic has failed to grasp amid all the criticism this year is that “intentions” don’t count for much when the consequences of his actions are so hurtful, a point highlighted by tennis host Catherine Whitaker.

“I can’t help but hear Djokovic’s words in the pre-tournament interview Christopher Clarey did with him a couple of weeks ago,” he said on The Tennis Podcast.

“That was probably set up by the Djokovic people or the ATP as Djokovic’s mea culpa on the Adria Tour … and he did his version of raising his hands and trying to lie down.

“Actually, he ended up looking defensive and focusing on the fact that he meant well.

“The fact that he didn’t have bad intentions, he only had good intentions.

“I don’t know if it’s ironic or appropriate that his journey through the US Open bubble came to an end with an incident that is defined by the fact that his intentions are irrelevant, they were irrelevant.”

BBC tennis commentator David Law agreed, adding: “It’s another in a line of things like this where he hasn’t fully taken responsibility.”

Djokovic said Monday that he has a lot to learn. You may want to start with how noble “intentions” don’t absolve you of guilt for your mistakes.