Tennis in Wimbledon: “Pump IT Up”: Djokovic with cheers controversy on record hunt

Novak Djokovic celebrated the next record of his exceptional career with his new cheers. When he had shaken the fright over the “evil slip” on the lawn of the Center Courts at the 14th semi -finals in Wimbledon, the Serbian tennis star moved his arms up and down in front of his body. Daughter Tara and son Stefan thrilled in the stands as if they wanted to push an air pump down.

“It’s something between me and my children,” said Djokovic during the Grand Slam tournament the unusual gesture to remind you of the “Pump IT Up” dance hit. “We love to pump. We pump after every win.”

In Serbia the demonstrators call “Pumpaj!”

However, as so often in the career of the most successful tennis player in history, there is a second level before the dream list of the world rankings Jannik Sinner. In the Serbian homeland, jubilation is understood as support of the permanent protests against partly authoritarian President Aleksandar Vucic. These call “Pumpaj!” In demonstrations, which means: “Increase the pressure!”

Vucic-loyal tabloids in Serbia therefore insult the national sports heroes. The government -critical newspaper “Nova.rs”, on the other hand, interpreted that Djokovic wanted to take into account the British hosts with his answer to the importance of the jubilation, since political messages are prohibited in Wimbledon.

Even the opponent raves about Djokovic

At the French Open, Djokovic received a warning from the French Minister of Sports two years ago because of such a message (“Kosovo is the heart is Serbia”). In all England Club, however, Djokovic now fly the hearts because of the sugar -sweet pictures with his children as fans. “He is a legend of our sport,” said even the Italian Flavio Cobolli after the defeat in the quarter -finals against his idol. “I’m happy because I played against him in this place.”

The next opponent is the three-time Grand Slam tournament winner Sinner on Friday at the important moments, however, in the important moments. “There could be no major challenge for me, that’s sure,” said Djokovic. “It will need the best of me to beat Jannik.”

Concern about the effects of fall

The consequences of the fall in the second match ball against Cobolli should then no longer play a role. The 38-year-old had slipped and almost fell on his stomach in a balancing act.

“My body is no longer the same that it used to be,” said Djokovic thoughtful. “That’s why I will only feel the real effect tomorrow. I hope that in the next 24, 48 hours the extent of what happened is not too bad and I can play painlessly at the level of my skill.” He will now work with his physiotherapist “and hopefully everything will be fine in two days”.

Djokovic has ten people in his team in London, who take care of preparation, relaxation and training – and should now get him fit again. Sinner and Djokovic meet for the tenth time, Sinner won a total of five duels and the past four in series. Most recently, he prevailed in three sets in the semi -finals of the French Open.

Djokovic wants to write further tennis history

However, Djokovic 2023 and 2022 won the two clashes on the lawn in the All England Club. “I have never won against him in Wimbledon, so it will be a very, very difficult challenge,” said Sinner.

For the South Tyrolean, it is about his first final at the classic lawn. Djokovic, on the other hand, wants to continue writing history. With the 14th semifinals, he left the Swiss legend Roger Federer behind, the eighth Wimbledon triumph would have him unlocked to the men’s record holder. This would also mean that with 25th Grand Slam titles he would be the sole number one in tennis.

“Wimbledon is my best chance because of the results I had here, how I feel how I play,” said Djokovic. “I get this mental extra -gag and motivation to show my best tennis at the highest level.” If this succeeds, you should also be pumped.