Novak Djokovic quickly packed his bags, and then placed it on Court Philippe-Chatrier and applauded the crowd. He blew kisses, tapped his chest, folded his hands, gave the thumbs up. He lifted his bags again and began to walk before stopping again. Bending over, he kissed his hand and tapped the red dirt of Roland Garros.
No one in the stands remained seated as the man who had won three Coupe de Mousquetaires walked off the court. A great generalisation of the crowds at the Parisian Grand Slam is that they cheer for home players and the underdog.
As absurd as it may seem, Djokovic, as a 24-time Grand Slam champion the most decorated men’s tennis player to play the sport, was the underdog on Saturday, as he played Italian world No.1 Jannik Sinner in the men’s singles semi-final. Djokovic lost 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(3) in a high-quality match that lasted three hours and 16 minutes.
Most in the stands cheered for Djokovic, the last remaining member of the Big Three of men’s tennis.
