BBC pundit John McEnroe hit out at a “horrible” call that saw Novak Djokovic perplexed after being called out for hindrance in his Wimbledon semi-final win over Jannik Sinner on Friday afternoon. The Serb won in straight sets to reach his ninth SW19 final but only after hitting back at the umpire over two decisions he disagreed with.
The 36-year-old was adjudged to have grunted too loud and put off his opponent Sinner which resulted in a rare hindrance call, though McEnroe afterwards slammed the decision as a “horrible, horrible call” and claimed that the umpire wanted to get involved in the match.
Djokovic was brought to his knees in disbelief and approached the chair by asking the umpire “what are you doing?” while Tim Henman and Todd Woodbridge were equally as surprised in commentary.
Speaking to Clare Balding and Henman after Djokovic sealed victory, McEnroe said: “Never in his 18-year career he said, not one time it had ever been called. Horrible, horrible call. First of all, did you notice that Sinner’s ball went back in the court and dropped like a foot from the baseline?
“So I mean how much of a hindrance could it have been? I mean come on, and then the call for the time warning in the same game. He handled it admirably, way better than most players [would have].
“He [Djokovic] just said that, he said it could have turned the whole thing – he is absolutely right. I would have hated that that would have been the turning point. It’s one thing if Sinner lifts his game, that’s great, competition – but not when the umpire gets in the middle of it.
“Obviously this umpire wanted his name in the paper, I mean come on – but fortunately Novak held. It really would have been a shame if he had not held there I think. He deserved it, obviously.”
Speaking aftwards, Djokovic spoke about his reaction to the call. “The hindrance early on in the match could have changed the course of the match,” he said. “I felt nervous after that call, but I managed to re-group.
“It’s probably the first time it’s happened to me, I don’t normally have extended grunts. Maybe it was an echo in the roof. It was a call that I have to respect.”
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