Novak Djokovic has voiced his support for Danielle Collins for her playful response to fans who booed her at the Australian Open and used the incident to advocate for a more entertaining, less rigid approach to Tennis. The 24-time Grand Slam champion believes the sport could benefit from an evolution to engage younger audiences and inject more fun into its traditions.
Collins’ bold move receives approval from Djokovic
Danielle Collins faced public hostility during her second-round victory over local favorite Destanee Aiava, but she didn’t back down. Instead, she blew kisses to booing fans and sarcastically thanked them for funding her next luxury vacation.
Djokovic, no stranger to hostile crowds, applauded Collins for his wit and composure.
“I loved his answer,” Djokovic said with a laugh during his post-match press conference. “Everything she said on the court, off the court. Big Danielle Collins fan after that. I was before, but now, big fan. She was funny, smart, and just… a huge fan of what she did.”
A call for evolution in tennis
Djokovic used the moment to reflect on the well-established traditions of tennis and its struggle to adapt to modern times. Although he acknowledged the sport’s proud history, he stressed that tennis could benefit from relaxing its conservative rules to appeal to a younger audience.
“I think we have been a little bit behind other sports in trying to keep up with the evolution of society and the new generation, which we all know does not have a great capacity for be careful,” Djokovic said.
One example Djokovic highlighted was the recent rule allowing fans to move freely around stadiums during play instead of waiting for side changes — a step toward a less rigid sport.
Entertainment During Breaks: Super Bowl-Style Ideas
Djokovic also proposed the idea of introducing entertainment during breaks in play, drawing inspiration from other sports like the Super Bowl and the NBA.
-“Why not consider doing something between sets? Like Super Bowl halftime shows or NBA timeouts. They have dancers, music, entertainment. I wouldn’t have a problem with that.”
He added that such changes could make tennis more engaging and accessible without compromising its fundamental integrity.
“It would bring an element of fun and entertainment to tennis. It’s quite traditional and perhaps conservative in some things. I’m all for, just incremental changes. Dancers first.”
Wimbledon: The untouchable tradition
Although Djokovic is open to change at most tournaments, he has made it clear that Wimbledon should remain an exception.
“I wouldn’t change much about Wimbledon,” he said, acknowledging the prestige and historic charm of the All England Club.
The Future of Tennis: Balancing Tradition and Innovation
Djokovic’s comments highlight a growing feeling in the tennis world that the sport must adapt to stay relevant. As younger generations demand more engaging and interactive experiences, incremental changes like those suggested by Djokovic could help bridge the gap between tennis’ prestigious past and its future.
For now, Djokovic and Collins have sparked a lively debate over whether tennis can embrace a little more flair while staying true to its roots.
