Djokovic’s next opponent Borna Gojo wants to make tennis more exciting: “I will swear again; let fans cheer during points”
Borna Gojo spoke at a press conference about the electric atmosphere at the US Open, trash talk in tennis and playing against Novak Djokovic
Borna Gojo, Davis Cup 2021 – © Zuma / Panoramic
Tennis fans around the globe will get a good look at Croatia’s Borno Gojo when he takes on 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the evening session match on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open on Sunday.
If you have ever seen Gojo play at least a set of tennis, apart from the booming serve, you would surely notice one more thing – the Croat gets emotional. The 25-year-old from Split wears his heart on his sleeve and is no different off the court when speaking to the media.
At Flushing Meadows, Gojo is playing the tournament of his life. Having won only one Grand Slam main draw match so far in his career, he came from the qualifying at the US Open and has won six consecutive matches losing only one set, to Hamad Medjedovic in the first round of qualifiers.
His biggest career victory to date came against an in-form Mackenzie McDonald in the second round (6-3 6-4 6-4), so Gojo is certain to break the top 100 for the first time in his life (he is projected to rise to No 76 at the moment).
“I prayed to God to finish in three, since it was really hot. I am glad I was able to serve it out, since I fu..ed it up a couple of times in the past – here and at the other Slams”, Gojo told a small group of journalists in his native Croatian after his second-round win earlier this week.
In the ensuing 15 minutes, Gojo talked on various topics – without holding back, so here are “the greatest hits”:
“I don’t mind the noise. I played college tennis, so for me it’s always – the crazier, the better. I am used to it. I like it when the atmosphere gets a bit tense, because tennis is an extremely boring sport. As a spectator – you have to stay silent… I would change that, look at the other sports. I come watch Hajduk (football team from his hometown) play and I have to stay silent? Come on!”
Gojo wants trash-talk and change rules in tennis
“I never had any incidents with the fans, but there were a lot of heated moments in college, people throwing stuff at you for instance. Once, my teammate wanted to fight, so the police had to prevent things from escalating.”
“I feel tennis is a dying product and that we need more of that. I would change all the rules! Firstly, I would like for ball boys to bring the towels, because I have to walk every time. I would love if the players were allowed a shoulder bump or trash talk, a bit of provocation. We don’t have to fight, but I would like to be able to say something to my opponent. The way things are now – I say something and they call the police instantly, it’s so rigid.”
“Also, I would like for the spectators to be able to walk and talk. Some players have a problem with someone moving in the 77th row of the stands at biggest stadiums. ON outside courts everybody is walking, so what? I would allow for people to come and go as they please, so that they don’t have to wait for two games. I know how it feels from my time as a fan. Furthermore, I don’t see any reason why people shouldn’t cheer during points? OK, it might bother you at some point, but so what?”
About swearing
“I think it’s ridiculous what you journalists do. Let’s make a piece then about everything that was said during a football or basketball match. What kind of sh.t is that? I will swear again. People say that I don’t know how to behave. Well, those people should go on the court, do something, get off the couch, play some sports, play at Wimbledon – and then we can talk if they don’t swear. I can only laugh at things like that – is it really newsworthy when Luka Modric (football player for Real Madrid) swears?”
Nikola Jokic (NBA champion with the Denver Nuggets) relaxing and drinking in Serbia
“It’s all normal, well done for him. Do athletes have to be robots? For me it’s stupid to try to be something that I am not. I am not better or smarter than your average man, I am trying to do my job the best I can, so why would anybody care if I go and have a couple of drinks afterwards… The problem is that nowadays everybody is recording you everywhere. If I were in Nikola Jokic’s shoes, I’d end up in the papers three times a day.”
The Big 3 example
“It’s who they are and I give them credit for that. Nole, Federer, Nadal – everyone has their own way of life. Djokovic can’t go partying after every trophy he wins – he’s won so much, he would have become an alcoholic! Everyone has their own path, who am I to judge, we all do what we want, feel and consider best for ourselves.”
