Tennis fans were stunned today as Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, found himself at the center of a major controversy just hours before the highly anticipated Wimbledon 2025 final featuring world number one Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. In a move that has shaken the tennis community, Wimbledon officials issued a formal complaint and levied a heavy fine against Djokovic for what they described as “intentional disruption” during an official pre-final press conference.
The incident occurred during a joint media event scheduled to spotlight the two finalists, Sinner and Alcaraz. As journalists and broadcasters filled the room, Djokovic reportedly entered uninvited, took a seat at the front, and began answering questions meant for the finalists.
According to multiple witnesses, Djokovic jokingly referred to himself as the “uncrowned finalist” and claimed he should still be in the running due to a “technical injustice” in his earlier quarterfinal loss. While some laughed, others, including event officials, were visibly uncomfortable.
Wimbledon CEO Deborah Galloway released a rare public statement just hours later:
“We cannot tolerate such behavior. This was a moment meant to honor the two finalists, and Mr. Djokovic’s actions were both inappropriate and unprofessional. An official complaint has been filed, and a significant financial penalty has been imposed.”
The exact amount of the fine has not been disclosed, but sources indicate it is one of the largest ever issued to a player for conduct outside of play.
But the true shock came after the press conference concluded.
As reporters tried to gather reactions, Djokovic calmly returned to the stage—not to apologize, but to place something unexpected on the table: a handwritten note. He read it aloud with calm conviction:
“You can fine me, ban me, silence me—but you will never erase my passion for this sport. I disrupted nothing. I reminded you all who still breathes fire.”
The room fell completely silent.
Social media exploded. While critics accused Djokovic of attention-seeking and undermining the finalists, his fans rallied to his defense, claiming the tennis legend was merely expressing frustration at what they believe was an unfair exit from the tournament. The hashtag #StillBreathingFire began trending worldwide within minutes.
Neither Jannik Sinner nor Carlos Alcaraz has commented directly on the incident, though Sinner was seen shaking his head and leaving the press room early, while Alcaraz reportedly told a Spanish outlet, “I just want to focus on the final. That’s all that matters.”
This drama has added an unexpected layer of tension to an already historic final. With two of the sport’s brightest young stars set to clash, all eyes should be on the future. But for now, Novak Djokovic has reminded the world—once again—that his presence, for better or worse, still looms large over the sport of tennis.
