Wimbledon 2018: Novak Djokovic slams partisan Centre Court crowd

Novak Djokovic had some words for the partisan crowd around Wimbledon’s Centre Court.

A fired-up Novak Djokovic on his way to victory over Britain’s No 1 Kyle Edmund. Picture: AFP

Novak Djokovic overcame home favourite Kyle Edmund in four sets on Saturday night (AEST) and had some words for the partisan crowd around Wimbledon’s Centre Court.

“There is a certain unwritten borderline where you feel that it’s a bit too much,” Djokovic said about being booed at times by the crowd on Centre Court during his 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 win over Britain’s No 1. “I didn’t deserve to be treated the way I was treated by certain individuals.”

Djokovic was booed following a time violation in the third set. He responded by blowing kisses into the stands.

“I thought the crowd’s reaction after that (time violation) was quite unnecessary. A couple (of) guys really, you know, pretending they were coughing, and whistling while I was bouncing the ball more or less to the end of the match, at that end where I received the time violation. Those are the things obviously that people don’t get to see or hear on the TV. I just think it’s not necessary. That’s what I didn’t like.”

It was the third time Djokovic faced a British player at Wimbledon, losing to Andy Murray in the 2013 final and beating James Ward in 2016.

But this was the first time he received a reaction such as this from the crowd.

“The crowd was very fair when I played against Andy. Obviously they support their player,” he said. “But today there was just some people, especially behind the end where I got the time violation, they kept on going, they kept on going, provoking.”

AP