Novak Djokovic has brushed aside claims from John McEnroe that his recent struggles are a result of the same off-field dramas that wrecked Tigers Woods' career.
This time last year the Serbian superstar held all four grand slam singles trophies - the first man since Australian great Rod Laver in 1969 to do so.
He now holds none - and before last year's US Open admitted that personal problems had surfaced in his life.
"The person that comes to mind immediately with Novak is golfer Tiger Woods," McEnroe told the BBC.
"He had the issues with his wife, he seemed to go completely off the rails and has never been even close to the same player.
"That's going to throw you. If you're distracted, you're not the same player."
But Djokovic laughed off McEnroe's comments and joked the American icon may have been offended because he hit him with a ball while warming up for his first-round match on Tuesday.
"John has a complete right to say - anybody, really, in the world has a right to say what they want, and I respect that right," the three-time Wimbledon champion said after easing into the third round on Thursday.
"Especially coming from John, because he's someone that has earned that right because of who he is and what he has meant to the sport.
"He's very well known for his bold comments and not really caring too much about being politically correct but saying whatever is on his mind.
"I really don't take it in a negative way. It's fine. He has his right to say the things he wants to say.
"I don't necessarily need to agree with that. But it's his right. I take it very lightly."
Djokovic's three-set second-round win wasn't completely plain sailing.
The world No.4 was given a time violation by the umpire on the third point of the match and exchanged words with a member of the crowd following a comment made to him after the incident.
"I just don't like when somebody comes to the stands with intention to just provoke and just say certain things that are not right," Djokovic said.
"I just feel that's not appropriate. It's not in the spirit of the sport."
Djokovic will next face Latvia's Ernests Gulbis, who upset Juan Martin Del Potro 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7-3).
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