Sky Sports pundit Jonathan Overend slams Novak Djokovic’s ‘astonishing’ behaviour following latest disagreement with Shanghai Masters umpire

There appears to be something in the water in Shanghai, as ATP players are subjecting tournament officials to increasingly hostile treatment. Frances Tiafoe did not hesitate to hurl abuse at the umpire, claiming that a decision cost him a place in the fourth round. Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas also unleashed his frustration on the umpire during his clash with Daniil Medvedev.

The atmosphere in Shanghai seems conducive to players seeing fit to insult umpires, and Novak Djokovic was quick to join this list. He criticised the umpire for a minor change in the rules regarding ball boys and towels, thus intensifying the shameful nature of this saga that has taken a tragic turn.

The growing tension between players and referees at this tournament highlights a persistent problem in the sport, where the pressure of competition can sometimes overwhelm respect for refereeing decisions.

Jonathan Overend criticises Novak Djokovic for unfair treatment from referees

It is becoming a worrying and bitter trend among some of the sport’s most privileged and wealthy stars.

Adored by fans, ball boys and often umpires, Djokovic was baffled by a new towel rule and saw it appropriate to complain relentlessly to the umpire, someone who, of course, had no say in this rule change

“They’re back in action,” Jonathan Overend lamented during Sky Sports’ official coverage of Djokovic’s Shanghai Masters match against Roman Safiullin. “I mean, what is going on in this tournament with these players who think they can complain about anything?

“Now he’s talking about the towels. I mean, he’s lucky they implemented the rule that says ball boys can now serve players with sweaty towels. I find that amazing,” the pundit concluded in disbelief.

After Medvedev lashed out at an umpire and Nick Kyrgios suggested an umpire should be immediately fired after an error, tensions have never been higher.

Overend later called the recent complainants “grandfathers” and said the saga seems unlikely to end.

When will ATP players stop complaining?

Clearly keen to maintain all the negative stereotypes about professional tennis players, Alexander Zverev made clear his ambition to raise the flag of criticism of referees.

Following an incident in his third-round match against Tallon Griekspoor, the German said the referees were “completely” ruining the tournament in an expletive-laden speech.

Despite replays showing Zverev was completely wrong to raise any dispute, he also hinted that poor officiating had previously cost him both of his Grand Slam finals: No, I’m not joking.

A serial drowner and now the newly crowned King of Irony has confirmed he still suffers from total denial about his career.

Zverev’s constant racket throwing and on-court tantrums only contribute to a growing narrative that top players are incredibly spoiled.

The ATP bigwigs seem intent on misbehaving and complaining, when in reality they are just an embarrassing consolidation of all the bad traits people assume tennis players have.