Novak Djokovic in Heated Clash with US Open Umpire after 'Disgraceful' Incident

Novak Djokovic found himself in a heated clash with an umpire at the US Open after a 'disgraceful' incident.

The 38-year-old Serbian is through to the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows after he defeated American Taylor Fritz in four sets. His semi-final clash with Carlos Alcaraz will be the 14th of his illustrious career.

But it was not all seamless for Djokovic in the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday night. He became frustrated with the crowd making noise while he was trying to serve in the third set, while the match was finely poised at one set all.

With Djokovic defending a break point on his serve, he asked the umpire: "What are you gonna do?”

Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz. Image: Sarah Stier / Staff via Getty

He replied: "It's not gonna help Novak."

The Serbian put the distraction of the crowd behind him, to come through in four sets, extending his record over Fritz to 11 victories without defeat.

It also puts him another step closer to a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam triumph, which would see him pull clear of Margaret Court with the most.

At 38 years old, this tournament is one of his last opportunities to take the record.

Novak Djokovic. Image: Clive Brunskill / Staff via Getty

How did tennis fans react to Novak Djokovic's outburst?

Lots of tennis fans took to X to give their thoughts on the incident, and in general, there was sympathy for Djokovic.

@Jdubsx_ wrote: "To be fair the crowd is being rude. No need to disrupt the match."

@PokeBearGuru added: "The American fans are classless. I'm American but respect Djokovic."

But some fans believed the Serbian had antagonised the partisan crowd earlier in the match. During the second set which he won, he blew kisses to the crowd and gestured for silence when he won points.

@Courtsidecom said: "Novak was antagonizing the crowd long before the crowd retaliated."

Djokovic kept his concentration to go through and he celebrated with a dance for his daughter Tara, who turned eight years old.

Could Novak Djokovic win the US Open?

The Serb has been impressive in New York, but he still faces an uphill battle to get his hands on the crown.

Both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who are the dominant forces in men's tennis remain in the draw.

Djokovic can take encouragement from his record against the Spaniard, having beaten him in their last hard court match at the Australian Open in January.

But his record against Sinner is more disheartening, having lost the last five matches, including three on hard courts.