Author: lehang

Justin Baldoni claims his “It Ends With Us” co-star Blake Lively attempted to ban him and his Wayfarer Studios team from the film’s August premiere amid their feud.

According to the actor’s $250 million lawsuit against the New York Times, which he filed on Tuesday, Lively allegedly “initially refused to permit his attendance” at the event to “undermine” Baldoni’s role as director, executive producer and star on the project.

“Only after significant pressure did she reluctantly agree to allow Baldoni and the Wayfarer team to attend, but under humiliating conditions,” per the court docs obtained by The Post.

In his lawsuit against the New York Times, Justin Baldoni accuses Blake Lively of trying to ban him from the “It Ends With Us” premiere in an attempt to “undermine” his role on the project.Variety via Getty Images

The actor alleges in his $250 million lawsuit that Lively “reluctantly” allowed Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios team to attend “under humiliating conditions.”
“The Wayfarer team and their families, including Baldoni and [producer Jamey] Heath, were segregated from the main cast, barred from the exclusive after-party, and forced to organize their own event at additional cost,” the lawsuit alleges.

“Baldoni’s participation on the red carpet was cut short, and his family and friends were confined to a makeshift holding area in the basement before being escorted into a separate theater after Lively’s departure.”

The “Jane the Virgin” alum’s legal filing further claims, “Not only had Lively stolen the Film, but she also robbed Baldoni and his team of any genuine opportunity to celebrate their hard work.”

Baldoni, 40, claims the alleged snub was one of several moves by Lively, 37, that “systematically sidelined [him] from the marketing of his own Film.”

Baldoni claims the alleged snub was one of several moves by Lively that “systematically sidelined [him]” from the film’s marketing.GC Images

The “Jane the Virgin” alum also alleges that Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, persuaded Baldoni’s agent to drop him as a client.Variety via Getty Images

The “Five Feet Apart” director also names Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, in the lawsuit.

“Baldoni and [Wayfarer Studios] grew increasingly fearful of what Lively and Reynolds were capable of, as their actions seemed aimed at destroying Baldoni’s career and personal life,” the docs claim.

In addition to claiming Reynolds berated him in an “aggressive” confrontation for allegedly “fat-shaming” Lively, the actor also accused the “Deadpool & Wolverine” star in court docs of persuading Baldoni’s agent to drop him as a client.

Baldoni’s former agency, WME — which also reps Lively and Reynolds — denied the allegation in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday.

“In Baldoni’s filing there is a claim that Reynolds pressured Baldoni’s agent at the ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ premiere. This is not true,” the agency said.

“Baldoni’s former representative was not at the ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ premiere nor was there any pressure from Reynolds or Lively at any time to drop Baldoni as a client.”

Page Six has reached out to Reynolds’ rep for comment.

“Baldoni and [Wayfarer Studios] grew increasingly fearful of what Lively and Reynolds were capable of,” Baldoni’s lawsuit alleges.Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com

Baldoni’s legal filing against the Times coincided with the “Gossip Girl” alum formally filing a lawsuit against him for alleged sexual harassment and more.©Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Lively’s legal team previously responded to Baldoni’s lawsuit against the Times in a statement to Page Six.

“Nothing in this lawsuit changes anything about the claims advanced in Ms. Lively’s California Civil Rights Department Complaint, nor her federal complaint,” which was filed on Tuesday.

“This lawsuit is based on the obviously false premise that Ms. Lively’s administrative complaint against Wayfarer and others was a ruse based on a choice ‘not to file a lawsuit against Baldoni, Wayfarer,’ and that ‘litigation was never her ultimate goal.’ As demonstrated by the federal complaint filed by Ms. Lively [Tuesday], that frame of reference for the Wayfarer lawsuit is false.”

They added, “While we will not litigate this matter in the press, we do encourage people to read Ms. Lively’s complaint in its entirety. We look forward to addressing each and every one of Wayfarer’s allegations in court.”

Baldoni’s legal filing against the Times for alleged libel and false light invasion of privacy coincided with the “Gossip Girl” alum formally filing a lawsuit against him for alleged sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy and lost wages.

Baldoni previously denied the similar allegations Lively made in her separately filed California complaint.

Novak Djokovic suffered a surprise defeat at Indian Wells.

Novak Djokovic was dumped out of Indian Wells in the second round (Image: Getty)

Emma Raducanu’s former coach has urged Novak Djokovic to improve his serve if he is to return to the top of elite tennis. Dmitry Tursunov believes the 24-time Grand Slam champion must hit more aces and improve his second serve.

Djokovic fell to a shock second-round loss against Botic van de Zandschulp at Indian Wells. The 37-year-old struggled with his serve in the 6-2 3-6 6-1 loss. Tursanov, a former world No. 36 who briefly oversaw Raducanu’s career in 2022, insists Djokovic cannot return to his best form if he continues to win only 29 per cent of points on his second serve.

“I think everyone understands that Novak is currently far from his best form,” Tursunov told Championat. “That’s why the match didn’t go well. What is striking is that Novak didn’t hit a single ace. Three double faults is not that bad.

“But the fact that there was no ace on the serve of one of the best tennis players is probably already a small warning sign. 67 per cent of first serves is not so bad, Botic had 71 per cent. The problem is rather in the percentage of winning serves, which is 63 per cent for Novak and 60 per cent for Botic behind the first ball.

“That is to say, in this category, Novak was in the lead. But there is a huge gap in the percentage of points won on the second serve – only 29 per cent for Djokovic compared to 71 per cent for Van De Zandschulp. This is not allowed on the men’s circuit. With such an indicator, it is simply impossible to win.”

Djokovic confessed that he is some distance from playing his best tennis but blamed the conditions for his exit in California. Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz also made similar complaints.

Dmitry Tursunov once worked with Emma Raducanu (Image: Getty)

“You know, I regret for the level of tennis, considering how I practice these days,” Djokovic said. “To be honest, the difference between the centre court and the other courts is immense. Ball is bouncing on the centre courts higher than some of the highest clay courts, to be honest. I just struggled a lot with that, couldn’t find the rhythm.

“You know, things are different obviously for me the last couple of years. I’ve been struggling to play on the desired level.

“Every now and then, I have couple good tournaments, but mostly it’s really a challenge. It’s a struggle for me. I guess nothing can prepare you for that moment, in a sense. You have to experience it and try to deal with it in the best possible way.”

Jack Draper defeated Jenson Brooksby to reach the last 16 in Indian Wells.

Jack Draper wrote a classy message for his opponent in Indian Wells (Image: Tennis TV)

Jack Draper showed his class after advancing to the round of 16 in Indian Wells, as he wrote a kind message to his opponent on the camera lens. The British No. 1 came back from a break down in the first set to beat Jenson Brooksby 7-5 6-4 on Monday. After the match, Draper could be seen telling Brooksby something at the net and he later applauded his rival off the court.

Brooksby spent two years sidelined from tennis due to injury issues and a suspension relating to missed doping tests, which was later reduced. And Draper was delighted to see the former world No. 33 back on the court and playing some of his best tennis again.

After booking his spot in round four, Draper paid tribute to Brooksby when asked to sign the camera. “Good to have a great player back” the 13th seed wrote.

The Brit had beaten Brooksby in their previous two meetings, which came before the American’s two-year absence from the sport. But he had trouble in their third-round meeting in the Californian desert, going 1-4 down in the first set.

Draper wasn’t surprised that he struggled early on. “I mean, I felt confident,” he told Sky Sports.

“Jenson is someone who makes life very difficult for players and I didn’t really know what to expect, he hasn’t played for a while and I haven’t seen him play.

Jack Draper is through to the last 16 in Indian Wells (Image: Getty)

“It wasn’t the cleanest performance from my side today, like I had a lot that I could’ve improved on and a lot of chances that I missed. But that’s tennis, you can’t play your best the whole time. I’m glad with the way I stayed calm and just kept on going got the win in the end.”

Brooksby only returned to competition in January and his ranking has dropped outside the top 900. But he had already earned a big win in Indian Wells, taking out 17th seed Auger-Aliassime in the previous round, and Draper knew he would come out swinging.

The 23-year-old continued: “I knew from the first ball he was going to know what to expect. I played him twice and both times it went my way.

“He’s a fighter, he’s a competitor so I knew he was going to want his revenge today and I’m glad that I was able to fend him off in those key moments and come through strong in the end.”

Draper will now play either Taylor Fritz or Alejandro Tabilo in the fourth round. The British No. 1 is also in action in the doubles, pairing with Czech star Tomas Machac, and he intends to keep competing in both draws.

“I feel physically good, I feel mentally good,” he explained. “I think you see a lot of top players go out this week especially because the conditions are so different. Sometimes you just have to accept it’s not going to be your best tennis and a lot of that is how I’m feeling.

“I feel like I’m hitting the ball well, I feel good but sometimes it’s not quite coming off the racket the way I want it to. So I accept that and hopefully next round I can get things a little bit better again.”

The conditions in the Californian desert can prove tricky for players – but Draper doesn’t want to make too many changes to his game. “I’ve learnt from previous years that you can kind of overthink it a lot,” he added.

“Maybe trying to get a more slice on my serve because the flat just flies a bit too much. Trying to aim for shorter, big margins – meaning not trying to go as close to the lines. It’s difficult, you take it each ball as it comes.”

Novak Djokovic suffered his third successive defeat after bowing out of Indian Wells via a shock loss to Botic van de Zandschlup.

Novak Djokovic was spotted acting a little differently in his latest press conference (Image: Getty)

Concerns have been raised about Novak Djokovic’s mental state after he was seen “smiling too much” after suffering a shock defeat at Indian Wells. The Serbian, 37, was knocked out in the second round by Botic van de Zandschlup, who sealed a shock 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 victory in California on Saturday.

It marked Djokovic’s third consecutive defeat, following his Australian Open retirement against Alexander Zverev and his Qatar Open loss to Matteo Berrettini. Worryingly for the 24-time Grand Slam champion, it’s his first three-match losing streak in seven years, sparking unprecedented doubts about his ability to bounce back. Afterwards, he was all smiles in his post-match press conference, and former pro CoCo Vandeweghe reckons that could be a sign that his confidence is waning.

“The question arises – is Novak Djokovic getting too used to defeats?” the American said on Tennis Channel. “It’s a strange feeling for a player when he loses a few times like this, and then you see him in the press conference smiling a little too much, and you wonder – is he not as mentally strong as before.”

Continuing, Vandeweghe said it would be foolish to write “the greatest tennis player of all time” off, but insisted that his form in recent Masters tournament is a bit of a red flag. “I wonder if we’re getting too used to others beating him at the Masters,” she said. “We know that Novak is focusing on the Grand Slams, but are we going to relax too much and maybe it will be reflected in the Slams as well?”

Despite his smiley demeanour, Djokovic couldn’t hide how frustrated he was with his performance, having committed 37 unforced errors and hit just 16 winners during the contest. He also hit out at the on-court conditions after organisers decided to relay the court surfaces ahead of the tournament.

Djokovic congratulates Van de Zandschulp after losing to him at Indian Wells (Image: Getty)

“You know, I regret for the level of tennis, considering how I practice these days,” Djokovic told reporters. “To be honest, the difference between the centre court and the other courts is immense. Ball is bouncing on the centre courts higher than some of the highest clay courts, to be honest. I just struggled a lot with that, couldn’t find the rhythm.”

He added: “Things have been different for me in the last few years, I’m struggling to play at the level I want. I have a few good tournaments every now and then, but mostly it’s a challenge and torture for me. That’s how it is. Nothing can prepare you for such a moment, you have to go through that experience and deal with it in the best way possible.”

Djokovic is just one Grand Slam victory away from breaking the all-time record of 24, which he currently shares with Margaret Court. However, it’s been over a year since his last major title – a drought he’s experienced only once since 2014.

Emma Raducanu has been causing a stir at Wimbledon’s All England Club.

Emma Raducanu has reportedly been enraging members of the All England Club (Image: Getty)

Emma Raducanu has reportedly been antagonising members of Wimbledon’s All England Club, who have accused her of “arrogance” for breaking one of the venue’s long-standing rules.

Players are required to follow an all-white dress code while using the hallowed courts for matches and practice sessions – an order that even extends to the Grand Slam tournament held in summer. But the British No. 2 is said to have been flouting the rules, even turning up in a controversial pink kit.

According to the Daily Mail, the 2021 US Open champion’s behaviour has been “enraging members”, with some complaining that Raducanu is taking to the prestigious grass courts wearing “whatever outfit she wants”.

Wimbledon rules state that players must take to the courts in “suitable tennis attire that is almost entirely white”. The code also says this applies “from the point at which the player enters the court surround”.

The strict regulations also note that white “does not include off-white or cream”, while only a 10mm trim of another single colour is allowed around the neckline or the cuff of the sleeves.

However, Raducanu has been accused of ignoring the dress code, as one member claimed: “It’s so unfair. Emma rocks up in a pink outfit while everyone else respects the all-white rule.

Emma Raducanu is said to be turning up in a pink kit (Image: Getty)

“Who does she think she is? Just because she’s won the US Open doesn’t mean she can wear whatever she wants.”

The All England Club’s all-white mandate has been a talking point throughout the years of the Wimbledon Championships. Last year, Novak Djokovic had to seek permission to wear a grey knee brace during his recovery from surgery.

Nick Kyrgios also caused a stir during his run to the final in 2022, when he arrived on the court in a pair of red Nike Jordan shoes and a matching cap before changing into his white attire.

In 2013, eight-time champion Roger Federer received a telling-off for wearing orange-soled shoes and had to change them before his next appearance.

The club’s rules on wearing white during matches and practice sessions were first introduced in the 1880s. An amendment was made ahead of the tournament in 2023, allowing female players to wear dark undershorts beneath their kit.

Emma Raducanu has reportedly been enraging members of the All England Club (Image: Getty)

All England Club CEO Sally Bolton said players flagged the issue as a “considerable concern”.

It came after WTA star Daria Saville revealed that she “skipped” her period due to the draconian requirements.

“I myself had to skip my period around Wimbledon for the reason that I didn’t want to worry about bleeding through. We already have enough stress,” she told The Daily Aus.

The Serb crashed out of Indian Wells in his opening match on Saturday night.

Novak Djokovic has discussed his future working with Andy Murray (Image: ATP Media / Tennis TV)

Novak Djokovic has revealed he’ll sit down with Andy Murray to discuss the pair’s coaching partnership following the Serb’s early exit at Indian Wells. The all-time record Grand Slam winner lost his opening match of the tournament to qualifier Botic van de Zandschulp.

Despite coming up against one of the game’s greats, the Dutch outsider looked at ease throughout most of the contest and ran out a 2-6, 6-3, 1-6 victor. It marks Djokovic’s second consecutive opening match exit, having been beaten in straight sets by Matteo Berrettini at last month’s Qatar Open.

Djokovic’s dip in form has led to questions over the arrangement between himself and former player-turned-coach Murray. When quizzed on what his next step was, Djokovic replied: “Yeah. I mean, still haven’t talked with Andy and the team, so going to do that and make a plan.”

Prior to being dumped out of the tournament in Florida, Djokovic had suggested his partnership with Murray could continue well into the summer. He said: “I was very glad when he decided to keep going [after the Australian Open]. Indian Wells, Miami and most of the clay court season. We’re going to speak after Miami but I think the plan is to go to the end of Roland-Garros, hopefully Wimbledon as well.

Novak Djokovic was dumped out of Indian Wells after his first match (Image: Getty)

“I’m enjoying the relationship with Andy, I feel like we’re going through the process of getting to know each other on the court in a different way than we have known each other for 25 years. It’s obviously a new role for him, he’s exploring it… I like the way I played [in Australia]. In terms of the game, I think I played maybe the best tennis I played since the Olympics. I definitely contribute that to the work I had with Andy.”

Following his defeat to world No.86 Van de Zandschulp, Djokovic became the latest player, alongside Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz, to blast the Indian Wells organisers over the conditions of the tennis courts. Commenting on the bounce of the ball, the 37-year-old stated: “You know, I regret for the level of tennis, considering how I practice these days. To be honest, the difference between the centre court and the other courts is immense.

“Ball is bouncing on the center courts higher than some of the highest clay courts, to be honest. I just struggled a lot with that, couldn’t find the rhythm.”

On his performance, he alarmingly added: “You know, things are different obviously for me the last couple of years. I’ve been struggling to play on the desired level. Every now and then, I have couple good tournaments, but mostly it’s really a challenge. It’s a struggle for me. I guess nothing can prepare you for that moment, in a sense. You have to experience it and try to deal with it in the best possible way.”

Stefanos Tsitsipas paid tribute to his girlfriend, Paula Badosa, following her latest injury setback.

Stefanos Tsitsipas sent a touching message to his girlfriend, Paula Badosa (Image: Getty)

Stefanos Tsitsipas sent a heartfelt message to his girlfriend, world No. 10 Paula Badosa, days after she was forced to pull out of Indian Wells. The former champion has been struggling with a back injury in recent weeks and said she was “sad” to withdraw from the Californian WTA 1000 event.

The Greek star is flying the flag for the power couple in her absence. After lifting his 12th career title in Dubai last month, Tsitsipas has carried his momentum into Indian Wells and is through to the fourth round.

After an impressive few months on the tour, Badosa has faced a fresh setback with her back injury. The Spaniard retired from her Merida Open semi-final earlier this month and had to skip the Eisenhower Cup mixed doubles exhibition, where she was set to partner Tsitsipas.

The 27-year-old tried to recover in time for her opening match in Indian Wells but, on Thursday, she conceded and withdrew from the event.

“I’m very sorry to withdraw from one of my favourite tournaments. I tried until the last moment to play. I am really sad and hopefully will be back next year,” the 2021 champion said in a statement.

After what’s been a difficult period for Badosa, her boyfriend has attempted to cheer her up with a touching tribute on social media. On March 8, International Women’s Day, Tsitsipas shared a sweet video of him and Badosa enjoying a winter holiday.

Stefanos Tsitsipas is through to the last 16 in Indian Wells (Image: Getty)

“Happy Women’s Day to every woman carving her own path, embracing her strength, and lighting up the world in her own unique way,” he wrote, before adding a special message for his girlfriend. “Keep being the force of nature you are.”

Tsitsipas also discussed his relationship with Badosa after beating Matteo Berrettini in the third round of Indian Wells on Sunday. Asked about his off-court activities, the No. 8 seed said the Spaniard had started cooking for him.

“Lately a lot of cooking. I enjoy cooking. I have a lovely girlfriend that started cooking for me. I’m having a great time cooking and chatting at the same time,” he said on court.

“These are the small things bring joy to me. I like having walks. Little sort of activities on my days off.”

The 26-year-old already has another idea in mind, which would make a fitting date night with Badosa. “Maybe even playing mini golf,” he added.

“That’s something I had in mind. I hope I can go play some mini golf. It’ll be definitely be something I want to do.”

Tsitsipas will now face either Holger Rune or Ugo Humbert for a spot in the quarter-final. The Greek ace is now on a seven-match winning streak.

Meanwhile, Badosa will be hoping to recover in time to compete at the Miami Open later this month. The WTA main draw gets underway on Match 18 but she will benefit from a bye into round two.

Emma Raducanu crashed out in the first round of Indian Wells.

Emma Raducanu lost in the first round of Indian Wells for the first time in her career (Image: Getty)

It was a disappointing return to competition for Emma Raducanu, who suffered her worst-ever result in Indian Wells as she lost to Moyuka Uchijima in round one. Raducanu was playing her first match under the tutelage of Vlado Platenik, a Slovakian coach she linked up with on a trial basis for this tournament.

But the British No. 2 fell at the first hurdle in the Californian desert, suffering a 6-3 6-2 defeat despite leading by an early break. Raducanu was also competing for the first time since a stalker turned up at her second-round match in Dubai last month, leaving her “distraught”.

Raducanu took some time away from tennis and decided to return in California this week, joined by extra security. The world No. 55 admitted the allure of one of her “favourite tournaments” made it difficult to stay away from Indian Wells.

Ahead of her first-round match, the Brit confirmed she would be working with Slovakian coach Platenik on a trial basis. But their new partnership got off to a discouraging start as she suffered defeat on Thursday.

Raducanu had never lost in the first round of Indian Wells. Her worst result previously came in 2021, weeks after her US Open triumph, when she got a bye directly into round two and was beaten.

The 22-year-old got off to a positive start against Uchijima, breaking immediately to take a 2-0 lead. But she quickly lost the next four games in a row.

Emma Raducanu struggled on a windy day in the Californian desert (Image: Getty)

Raducanu got back on serve, but the world No. 52 broke again and closed out the first set. However, there was already a positive indication of her partnership with Platenik, as commentator and former player Naomi Broady noticed their good communication.

“Even though it is a new relationship, you can see the reaction from Raducanu there after she’s missed,” Broady said on Sky Sports.

“Immediately looking up to the coach, wanting feedback. Coach is giving it. Good communication.”

Uchijima broke in the first game of set two and got out of a tight game to extend her stronghold on the match. The Japanese continued to put Raducanu under pressure, making it a nightmare for the Brit to get out of her service games.

The tide seemed to be turning when Raducanu had three break-back points in a marathon game, but she couldn’t convert any of them and Uchijima continued to move ahead.

The missed opportunities took a toll on Raducanu – she suddenly found herself facing three break points and double-faulted to put the final nail in the coffin, giving her opponent the chance to serve for the match.

Uchijima got the job done, sending the Brit packing and setting up a meeting with No. 3 seed Coco Gauff.

Raducanu is expected to be in action at the Miami Open later this month. It remains to be seen whether she extends her trial with Platenik after an early exit at their first tournament together.

Andy Murray is continuing his coaching partnership with Novak Djokovic.

Andy Murray will continue his work with Novak Djokovic in Indian Wells and Miami (Image: Getty)

Andy Murray’s mum, Judy, has had her say after her son showed his commitment to his coaching work with Novak Djokovic. The Brit joined Djokovic’s team for the off-season and Australian Open, and they recently agreed to extend their partnership indefinitely.

It’s been less than a year since Murray retired, but he’s now decided to get back on the tennis tour for the 24-time Grand Slam champion. He recently jetted to Indian Wells to accompany Djokovic on his campaign and will also be at the Miami Open.

Murray and Djokovic enjoyed one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries, facing off in the finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments and playing for the world No. 1 ranking. But they joined forces after Murray retired, with Djokovic asking his old foe to mentor him.

Fans were bemused watching the three-time Major winner seated in Djokovic’s courtside box during the Australian Open. And Murray will now be back in the Serb’s box for this month’s Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami, as he flew to the US on Monday.

It’s a big commitment from the retired star, who isn’t keen on travelling for the entire tennis season but is clearly happy to spend several weeks away from home to work with Djokovic.

But Murray’s mum, Judy, doesn’t seem surprised by her son’s decision, and her reaction to the news proves that the Brit has already formed a close working relationship with Djokovic.

Andy Murray’s mum Judy reacted after her son jetted to Indian Wells to work with Novak Djokovic (Image: Getty)

“A fine bromance……” Judy tweeted after Murray decided to head to Indian Wells and Miami was announced.

It’s not only a big commitment from Murray, as Djokovic has also surprised the tennis world with his schedule. The current world No. 7 has not competed in the Miami Open since 2019.

In recent years, he has either skipped Indian Wells and Miami altogether, or has only played in Indian Wells to limit his schedule.

Djokovic will be hoping to bounce back after losing his opening match at last month’s Qatar Open to Matteo Berrettini. Murray did not accompany the Serb in Doha, but the pair will reunite in the Californian desert.

During his time in Qatar, Djokovic confirmed that he would continue working with Murray. They initially only agreed to test things out during the Australian Open, but the tournament ended in disappointment when Djokovic was forced to retire injured during the semi-final.

“We had a chat the day after I finished [in Australia],” Djokovic told the ATP last month. “We reflected on the period we spent together.

“We agreed he was going to take some time and think, speak with his family members and see if he decides to keep working. I expressed my desire to continue the collaboration with him so I am really glad he did accept.

“It is indefinite in terms of how long we are going to work together, but we agreed most likely in the States and some clay-court tournaments. We will see how it goes after that.”

Djokovic has a bye into the second round of Indian Wells and will begin his campaign against either Nick Kyrgios or a qualifier.

Murray and Djokovic enjoyed one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries, facing off in the finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments and playing for the world No. 1 ranking. But they joined forces after Murray retired, with Djokovic asking his old foe to mentor him.

Fans were bemused watching the three-time Major winner seated in Djokovic’s courtside box during the Australian Open. And Murray will now be back in the Serb’s box for this month’s Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami, as he flew to the US on Monday.

It’s a big commitment from the retired star, who isn’t keen on travelling for the entire tennis season but is clearly happy to spend several weeks away from home to work with Djokovic.

But Murray’s mum, Judy, doesn’t seem surprised by her son’s decision, and her reaction to the news proves that the Brit has already formed a close working relationship with Djokovic.

Andy Murray’s mum Judy reacted after her son jetted to Indian Wells to work with Novak Djokovic (Image: Getty)

“A fine bromance……” Judy tweeted after Murray decided to head to Indian Wells and Miami was announced.

It’s not only a big commitment from Murray, as Djokovic has also surprised the tennis world with his schedule. The current world No. 7 has not competed in the Miami Open since 2019.

In recent years, he has either skipped Indian Wells and Miami altogether, or has only played in Indian Wells to limit his schedule.

Djokovic will be hoping to bounce back after losing his opening match at last month’s Qatar Open to Matteo Berrettini. Murray did not accompany the Serb in Doha, but the pair will reunite in the Californian desert.

During his time in Qatar, Djokovic confirmed that he would continue working with Murray. They initially only agreed to test things out during the Australian Open, but the tournament ended in disappointment when Djokovic was forced to retire injured during the semi-final.

“We had a chat the day after I finished [in Australia],” Djokovic told the ATP last month. “We reflected on the period we spent together.

“We agreed he was going to take some time and think, speak with his family members and see if he decides to keep working. I expressed my desire to continue the collaboration with him so I am really glad he did accept.

“It is indefinite in terms of how long we are going to work together, but we agreed most likely in the States and some clay-court tournaments. We will see how it goes after that.”

Djokovic has a bye into the second round of Indian Wells and will begin his campaign against either Nick Kyrgios or a qualifier.

Novak Djokovic’s Father Delivers Strongly-Worded Message to Critics Who Refuse to Acknowledge His Son’s GOAT Status

In the world of tennis, few names carry as much weight as Novak Djokovic. With a record-breaking career, numerous Grand Slam titles, and an unprecedented level of dominance, Djokovic has cemented his place among the greatest players in the history of the sport. However, despite his incredible achievements, there remains an ongoing debate about whether he is the Greatest of All Time (GOAT). This continued skepticism has not sat well with Djokovic’s father, Srdjan Djokovic, who recently delivered a strongly-worded message to the critics refusing to acknowledge his son’s rightful place at the pinnacle of tennis history.

A Father’s Frustration

Srdjan Djokovic has never been one to hold back when defending his son. Over the years, he has been vocal in his belief that Novak has not always received the respect and recognition he deserves, particularly from Western media and some members of the tennis community. In a recent interview, Srdjan once again expressed his frustration, calling out those who continue to dismiss his son’s incredible accomplishments.

“Novak has broken almost every record in the book,” Srdjan stated. “He has the most weeks at No. 1, the most Masters 1000 titles, and he is still adding to his Grand Slam count. Yet, despite all of this, some people refuse to give him the credit he deserves. Why? Because he is not from their country? Because he does not fit into their narrative? The statistics speak for themselves. If you look at them objectively, there is no doubt that Novak is the greatest.”

The GOAT Debate: Stats Don’t Lie

The argument over who is the GOAT in men’s tennis has long been a contentious one, with Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal being the three leading candidates. While Federer was often hailed as the most graceful and artistic player of all time and Nadal as the undisputed King of Clay, Djokovic’s all-surface dominance and statistical superiority have made his case increasingly undeniable.

As of now, Djokovic holds the record for the most weeks as world No. 1, surpassing both Federer and Nadal by a significant margin. He also boasts the most ATP Masters 1000 titles, a record-tying or record-breaking number of Grand Slam titles, and an impressive head-to-head advantage over both Federer and Nadal. Additionally, his ability to win in all conditions—hard courts, grass, and clay—sets him apart from his two legendary rivals.

Despite these numbers, some critics have been reluctant to accept Djokovic as the GOAT, often citing factors such as Federer’s elegance or Nadal’s dominance on clay as reasons to keep the debate open. However, Srdjan Djokovic sees this as an unjust refusal to acknowledge the truth.

A Legacy Shaped by Determination and Adversity

One of the key points Srdjan highlighted in his message was the adversity Novak faced on his journey to greatness. Unlike Federer, who grew up in the well-established Swiss tennis system, or Nadal, who trained at the prestigious Rafa Nadal Academy, Djokovic’s rise to the top was anything but easy. Coming from war-torn Serbia, he had to overcome financial difficulties, lack of infrastructure, and countless obstacles that made his success all the more remarkable.

“Novak had to fight for everything,” Srdjan explained. “He did not have the luxury of training in world-class facilities from a young age. He trained in bomb shelters and had to leave his country as a child to pursue his dream. And despite all of that, he not only succeeded but dominated the sport. How many players in history can say they overcame such challenges to reach the absolute pinnacle? Yet, some people still refuse to give him his due.”

The Media’s Role in the Debate

Srdjan Djokovic also took aim at the media, accusing them of bias when it comes to covering Novak’s achievements. He suggested that many journalists and commentators have favored Federer and Nadal over the years, often downplaying Djokovic’s records and successes.

“We have seen it time and time again,” Srdjan said. “Whenever Novak wins, there is always an excuse. ‘Oh, Federer was past his prime,’ or ‘Nadal was injured.’ But when the others won, it was always because they were the best. The media has played a big role in shaping public perception, and unfortunately, Novak has not always been given the credit he rightfully deserves.”

Novak’s Response to the Debate

While Srdjan Djokovic has been vocal in his defense of his son, Novak himself has largely remained composed when discussing the GOAT debate. The Serbian star has often stated that he does not play for records or titles but rather for the love of the sport and the challenge of constant improvement. Nevertheless, with every tournament he wins, his case as the GOAT becomes more compelling.

“I do not need to prove anything to anyone,” Djokovic said in a recent interview. “I know what I have achieved, and I am proud of my career. The numbers are there for anyone who wants to analyze them. At the end of the day, I play because I love tennis, and I will continue to do so for as long as I can.”

Conclusion

The debate over who is the greatest of all time in men’s tennis may never be fully settled, but what is clear is that Novak Djokovic has done everything possible to stake his claim at the top. With an unparalleled record, longevity, and a fierce determination that has carried him through countless challenges, his legacy is undeniable.

Srdjan Djokovic’s passionate defense of his son is not just about pride—it is about demanding fairness in recognizing Novak’s place in history. Whether critics choose to accept it or not, the numbers do not lie, and Djokovic’s achievements continue to speak louder than any debate.

As Djokovic continues his career, one thing is certain: his name will forever be etched in the annals of tennis history, and sooner or later, the world may have no choice but to acknowledge that he truly is the greatest of all time.