Topics: Tennis, Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic stormed into the quarter-finals of Wimbledon but took aim at the crowd in a spiky post-match interview.
Djokovic ran out a convincing winner against Holger Rune, booking his place in the next round with a 6-3 6-4 6-2 victory on Centre Court.
During Rune’s winners and Djokovic’s errors, the crowd in attendance bellowed ‘Ruuuuuuuu-ne’ throughout the game which clearly irked the seven-time champion.
His post-match interview turned into a feisty rant where he once again took aim at the Wimbledon spectators.
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“To all the fans that have had respect and stayed here tonight, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I appreciate it,” he told the BBC before mimicking the tone of the crowd’s chants. “And to all those people that have chosen to disrespect the player - in this case me - have a goooooooood night.”
It was suggested to Djokovic that the crowd were simply supporting Rune rather than disrespecting the Wimbledon veteran but he quickly shut down the assertion.
The Serb claimed he ‘knew all the tricks’ and sent a defiant message to the fans in attendance.
He continued: “They were. They were [disrespecting me]. I am not accepting it. No no no. I know they were cheering for Rune but that's an excuse to also boo.
“Listen, I have been on the tour for more than 20 years. I know all the tricks.
“I focus on the respectful people that pay for the ticket, and love tennis and appreciate the players.
“I played in much more hostile environments, trust me – you guys can't touch me.”
Also speaking after the match, Rune himself suggested the crowd were simply chanting his name.
“I mean, if you don't know what was happening, probably it sounded like boo. But if we all know what happened, it was my name,” he said.
Djokovic doubled down on his claims in the post-match press conference and insisted there were no regrets for his rant.
He added: “When I feel a crowd is stepping over the line, I react.
“I don't regret my words or actions on the court.”
Djokovic faces number nine ranked Australian Alex de Minaur in the quarter-final on Wednesday.
