Novak Djokovic Accused of “Nasty” Practice Court Behavior by Fellow Pro Jules Marie
Novak Djokovic has been accused of displaying “nasty” behavior during practice sessions by fellow tennis pro Jules Marie. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is widely respected for his dominance and intense approach to the sport, but his competitive edge has occasionally sparked controversy throughout his two-decade-long career.
Despite being one of the most revered figures in tennis history, Djokovic has faced allegations of displaying contrasting personas—one when cameras are rolling and another when they aren’t. Marie, a 33-year-old French player who also runs a YouTube channel with over 130,000 followers, has shared several encounters with the Serbian star but doesn’t recall them fondly.
During a live Instagram session, Marie reflected on his experience sparring with Djokovic at the 2021 French Open—an event Djokovic went on to win. According to Marie, the world No. 1 exhibited unsportsmanlike behavior throughout their practice sessions.
“When I was a sparring partner at Roland Garros, I played five times with Djokovic, and he was nasty all five times,” Marie claimed. “You’re always on edge with him. If you hit a ball 1.5 meters away from him, he won’t play it and gives you a look as if to say, ‘If you do that again, I’ll kick you out.’”
Marie went on to describe an instance where Djokovic refused to return a serve because his coach was supposed to be the one serving. “So his coach serves, I hit the ball back, and Djokovic sends the ball 50 meters into the air. I don’t know why… It wasn’t nice at all,” he added.
A Different Djokovic When the Cameras Are On?
Marie claims he had a vastly different experience with Djokovic the following year at the Australian Open, attributing the change in demeanor to the presence of cameras.
“At the Australian Open, I was no longer a sparring partner—I was a player. So the dynamic was different,” Marie explained. “And he knew about my YouTube channel. Plus, we were being filmed, so he couldn’t be nasty.”
Andy Murray Defends Djokovic’s Competitive Spirit
One player who is familiar with Djokovic’s intensity is his former rival-turned-coach Andy Murray. While acknowledging Djokovic’s fierce demeanor, Murray believes his drive is what has propelled him to greatness.
“At times, it’s very enjoyable,” Murray said of his coaching experience with Djokovic at the Australian Open. “But high performance isn’t about laughs, jokes, and messing around. It’s about focus and dedication.”
Djokovic has yet to respond to Marie’s claims, but his intensity on and off the court remains a defining factor in his illustrious career.
