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Novak Djokovic was given a warm reception as he appeared at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on Monday night, but one prominent journalist has slammed his appearance as an insult to women’s football.
The world No 1 tennis player is making the most of his time in Paris, as he prepares to return to the court in this week’s ATP 1000 event in the French capital.
He watched the Rugby World Cup Final between South Africa and New Zealand on Saturday, as he attended the match with pop star Rita Ora.
Then he was invited by France Football Magazine to present the Spanish star Aitana Bonmati with the Ballon d’Or Féminin, as she was crowed as the top female player in world football.
“It’s nice to take the opportunity, when you have a tournament in the city where you have some big sporting events like the World Cup Finals of rugby or the Ballon d’Or, you have to take the chance and I am enjoying myself,” said Djokovic.
“Football is by far the most popular sport in the world. I grew up watching football, playing football and my father was a professional for a time. So I am excited to be here.”
While Djokovic’s appearance in Paris appeared to be welcomed by most present, there appears to have been a hostile reception to his appearance in Australia.
Journalist Lavender Baj took to Twitter to question why Djokovic was asked to present the award for the top female player, as she posted this provocative tweet.
You could’ve stumbled out of a bar at 2am and found someone more worthy of presenting it
— lavender baj (@lavosaurus) October 30, 2023
The comments seemed designed to create a reaction with an Aussie audience as it duly did the trick, with social media users describing Djokovic’s appearance as ‘disrespectful’ and ‘appalling’.
These comments were made by Australian observers, who may still have lingering animosity towards Djokovic following his deportation from their country last year over his Covid vaccine status.
Other points out Djokovic’s controversial comments in 2016, when he questioned whether women tennis players should receive the same prize money as men when they play fewer sets at Grand Slam events.
“Obviously it’s a very delicate situation. Women deserve respect and admiration for what they are doing,” said Djokovic at the time.
“You know, equal prize money was the main subject of the tennis world in the last seven, eight years,” Djokovic said.
“I have been through that process as well so I understand how much power and energy WTA and all the advocates for equal prize money have invested in order to reach that.
“I applaud them for that, I honestly do. They fought for what they deserve and they got it.
“On the other hand, I think that our men’s tennis world, ATP world, should fight for more because the stats are showing that we have much more spectators on the men’s tennis matches. I think that’s one of the reasons why maybe we should get awarded more.
“Women should fight for what they think they deserve and we should fight for what we think we deserve.”
Djokovic later clarified those comments and has since become a vocal supporter of equal pay and increased payment to tennis players.
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