‘Disrespect’: Djokovic blows up at Wimbledon crowd in bizarre interview

Novak Djokovic has lost the plot in a bizarre on-court interview, slamming the Wimbledon crowd and declaring “you can’t touch me”.

AFP

2 min read

July 9, 2024 - 8:02AM

Djokovic hits out at 'hostile' Wimbledon crowd in spicy interview

Novak Djokovic accused Wimbledon fans of “disrespect” in a withering on-court tirade after reaching a 60th Grand Slam quarter-final and 15th at the All England Club on Monday.

World number two Djokovic, the seven-time champion at Wimbledon and chasing a record-setting 25th major, defeated 15th-ranked Holger Rune 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

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Djokovic then launched a bitter outburst at a section of Centre Court fans who constantly chanted “Rune” throughout the match, echoing the shouts of “Root”, popularised by cricket fans in the country in support of former England cricket skipper Joe Root.

“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,” said an angry Djokovic.

“And to all those people that have chosen to disrespect the player — in this case me — have a goooooooood night,” he added, mocking his tormentors.

Watch Djokovic’s bizarre post-match interview in the video above

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning match point with a violin gesture. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Djokovic encourages the crowd to cheer. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP)

When told by the TV interviewer that some fans were shouting “Rune” rather than booing, Djokovic hit back.

Have a gooooooooood night hahahahahahahaa
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) July 8, 2024

“They were. They were. I am not accepting it. No no no. I know they were cheering for Rune but that’s an excuse to also boo,” he said.

“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 have played in much more hostile environments, trust me — you guys can’t touch me.”

Tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg wrote on X: “Paranoid or not, fragile or not, immature or not, this version of Djokovic is so, so much more authentic and enjoyable than the heart-throwing nonsense of a decade ago.

“Glad he’s speaking his truth these last few years.”

One fan desribed it as the “best and coldest post match interview of all time”.

The 37-year-old Serb, still sporting a knee support on his right leg after undergoing surgery last month, set the tone for Monday’s fourth-round tie when Rune failed to win a single point in the opening three games.

He saved a break point in the 10th game of the second set before carving out another key break in the first game of the third.

His six-year-old daughter recently picked up the violin, and Djokovic dedicated the win to her in the crowd by pretending to play his racquet as the instrument.

Djoker was not happy. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The crowd was actually cheering for Holger Rune. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Djokovic goes on to face Australian ninth seed Alex de Minaur for a place in the semi-finals.

De Minaur defeated France’s Arthur Fils 6-2 6-4 4-6 6-3 but appeared to injure his hip while lunging for a volley that secured him match point.

The Aussie is through to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon for the first time and has already up to a career-high ranking of World No. 6.

Asked if there was an injury issue during his on-court interview, de Minaur said: “I’ll be all right. I’ll find a way.”

It was a troubling finish to a seasoned performance by the red-hot baseliner, who became just the second Aussie since 1978 to make the quarters of the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year.

Wimbledon men’s singles quarter-final line-up

Jannik Sinner (ITA) v Daniil Medvedev (RUS)