Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams have much in common. Both are phenomenally gifted athletes and both are inching closer to the statistical pinnacle of tennis, the all-time record of Grand Slam victories. But there’s also something less admirable they share: an unedifying sense of entitlement, a likely by-product of being told constantly by their fathers from a very young age that they were destined for greatness. It was on show again at this year’s US Open at Flushing Meadows.
Let’s start with Novak. Although unintentional, his behind-the-back swatting of a ball into the throat of a lineswoman was clearly dangerous and against the rules, drawing an automatic disqualification. However, instead of gracefully accepting his mistake as a true champion might, Djokovic argued his case at length with officials before leaving the crowd-less stadium without speaking to the media. It was only later on social media that he publicly apologised, saying he felt sad and empty. A week later in Rome, he was already engaging in a bit of revisionism. “I accepted it, I moved on.”
If this was a one-off, there might have been some room for exculpation. But only a game earlier, Djokovic slammed a ball much harder into a court-side wall. He did the same thing at the Western and Southern Open a fortnight earlier, fortunately without hitting anybody. While disqualification was a severe penalty as it robbed the Serb of a golden opportunity to claim an 18th slam in the absence of Federer and Nadal, serial offender Nick Kyrgios was probably entitled to pose the question he did in a cheeky Twitter poll. “Swap me for jokers incident… how many years would I be banned for – five, 10 or 20?”
There was even more at stake for Serena: a world-record equalling 24th slam and, at 38, a recognition there might not be too many more opportunities to come. So there was almost a feeling of inevitability when at deuce and 0-1 in the third set of the semi-final, having lost three consecutive points and facing a match-threatening break, Williams paused, clutched at her ankle and took a medical time out. This is not to suggest there wasn’t a problem – Serena subsequently pulled out of the Italian Open citing an achilles strain – but more an issue of severity and timing. Williams, like Djokovic and others, have repeatedly called for MTOs at critical points in matches when the momentum was going the way of their opponent.
Novak has mused, some would say obsessed, about why he is not loved by the fans as much Roger or Rafa. Serena seems less concerned with such matters, especially in New York, where she is mostly adored, despite her appalling behaviour in her 2018 US Open final loss to Naomi Osaka, who triumphed again this year. But even if they eventually win the most Majors, neither will be able to truly claim the mantle of the best player ever until they understand that greatness is measured not just in the number of wins but in how they are achieved. And that despite the influence of their fathers, there is no place for unseemly displays of self-entitlement.