{"id":294624,"date":"2023-11-08T15:54:56","date_gmt":"2023-11-08T15:54:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/?p=294624"},"modified":"2023-11-08T15:54:56","modified_gmt":"2023-11-08T15:54:56","slug":"novak-djokovic-theory-raised-as-serb-distancing-himself-more-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/tennis\/novak-djokovic-theory-raised-as-serb-distancing-himself-more-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Novak Djokovic theory raised as Serb ‘distancing himself more and more’"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Novak Djokovic has received stronger support for the crowd after \u2018distancing\u2019 himself from the public perception, former tennis star Justine Henin believes. The Serb appears to have gained a bigger fanbase at tournaments in recent months, having become the most decorated Grand Slam player of all-time.<\/p>\n

Djokovic has enjoyed noticeably more support during his matches. The 36-year-old had previously developed a reputation for being a pantomime villain, with boos often aimed in his direction.<\/p>\n

He would sometimes hit out at a negative reaction from the crowd. However, Henin believes that Djokovic has now distanced himself from the crowd\u2019s opinion and is reaping the benefits.<\/p>\n

Djokovic is now enjoying more support on the tour. He has repaid the crowd with recent victories at the Paris Masters and the US Open.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that it is not always pleasant to have the public who, all of a sudden, become hostile and support the opponent,\u201d Henin told Eurosport.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong> Djokovic can now grant Federer his biggest wish thanks to Alcaraz[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u201cAnd very intelligently, he cuts short what is happening and at the same time he remobilises himself. He has a lot of experience at this level.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I still think that in relation to this question of the public, he is distancing himself more and more. He is no longer there to please [the public], he is there to play and win, and, I think, that by finally doing so, it still appeals to a lot of people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Djokovic did receive some boos in Paris but responded well. In his last-16 victory over Tallon Griekspoor, he jokingly asked the crowd to boo louder, having previously said he plays better when the crowd is against him.<\/p>\n