Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic found himself at the centre of a hostile reception in Athens after suffering a surprising defeat at the Olympic Qualifying Series. The 24-time Grand Slam champion faced jeers and boos from Greek spectators before a shocking incident saw a water bottle hurled toward the Serbian athlete.
The dramatic scenes unfolded at the historic Zappeion venue, where Djokovic's Olympic preparations took an unexpected turn. Following his loss, the atmosphere turned tense as disappointed fans made their feelings known in no uncertain terms.
Security Scramble as Object Flies Toward Djoker
Eyewitnesses described chaotic moments when a plastic water bottle was thrown in Djokovic's direction during the post-match proceedings. Security personnel immediately intervened to protect the tennis icon, who appeared visibly unsettled by the aggressive behaviour.
The incident raises serious questions about spectator conduct at Olympic qualifying events and represents another challenging moment in what has been a difficult season for the former world number one.
Olympic Dreams Under Threat
This disappointing performance in Greece comes at a crucial time for Djokovic, who has made no secret of his desire to add Olympic gold to his extensive collection of trophies. The qualifying tournament represented a key opportunity to build momentum ahead of Paris 2024.
Instead, the Serbian finds himself dealing with both sporting disappointment and concerns about player safety at international events. The tennis community has been quick to condemn the spectators' behaviour, emphasising that such incidents have no place in the sport.
As Djokovic regroups from this unsettling experience, questions remain about how this will affect his Olympic campaign and whether additional security measures will be implemented for future qualifying matches.
