Novak Djokovic in a no holds barred exchange castigated the members of the drumming British crowd after Serbia’s Davis Cup quarterfinal win against Great Britain. The 36-year-old was not pleased with the antics of disrespectful fans as he gave them a “shut up” call while steering Serbia to Semifinals.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion in boisterous atmosphere had yet another clash with the fans as he confronted partisan Great Britain fans who were not holding back to put him off during the second quarterfinal rubber. Earlier, Miomir Kecmanovic provided Serbia with a perfect start after recording a straight-sets win against Jack Draper.
While edging ever closer to a near-flawless season, feisty Djokovic had a routine day in office as he saw off the gritty lefty Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-4 to take Serbia to semis. However, the triumph was marred by some controversial moments spread throughout the match, with spectators trying to play their part (negative) in the match. At one occasion a fan shouted during Djokovic’s serve as he tried to serve out the first frame.
The World No. 1 response was cupping his ear and blowing kisses. The rowdy fans then tried to disrupt Serb’s post-match on-court interview by playing drums and attracting the anger of a clearly tetchy Djokovic who then reprimanded them: “Learn how to show respect to players” before shouting “shut up”.
When quizzed post-match whether he was frustrated by the crowd interventions just during the interview or the match, Djokovic replied: “Well, the entire match pretty much.
“Disrespect, but again, that’s something I’m kind of have to be prepared for. You know, in the Davis Cup, it’s normal that sometimes fans step over the line, but, you know, in the heat of the moment, you react too, and you, in a way, how can I say, show that you don’t allow this kind of behavior.
“They can do whatever they want, but I’m going to respond to that. That’s what happened. And in the end, for whoever was there, you saw, I was trying to talk and they were purposely starting to play the drums so that I don’t talk and they were trying to annoy me the entire match.
“So, yeah, we had a little bit of a chat in the end (smiling).”
But the ill antics of the spectators couldn’t do the desired damage as Djokovic extended took his Davis Cup singles win streak to 21 matches with his last defeat coming in 2011 against Argentine Juan Martin del Potro.
Despite appearing to be invincible in every match he enters, Djokovic admits that he sometimes has faces doubts like any other player on the tour.
“I think everyone has – I can speak on my behalf, but I actually think that everyone has doubts. I have my doubts, as well, before the match and of course during the match,” he said.
“But I think the convictions that I’m able to pull it off and win are stronger and they overwhelm the doubts. So it is always an internal battle, really, how you’re going to prevail I think in your head. It really then depends, depended on that, you will perform in certain level or a certain way.
“I think the experience that I have now playing for so many years helps me deal with my nerves, deal with expectations, but there is always very high expectations beginning with myself and of course now here the team and the nation.
“I know that pretty much every single player that steps out on the court with me wants to get a scalp. You know, they want to win, they want to play their best tennis. But, you know, it’s a good problem to have, to be honest. You know, I don’t complain. You know, I’m very proud of the career that I had and the situation and the position that I’m in.
“It motivates me. Pressure motivates me. It really forces me to go into my lockdown mode, in a way, to focus and get the best out of me, you know, in the Davis Cup weeks.
“Playing for my country, it’s probably, I guess, multiplied even more that kind of feeling of motivation.”