Novak Djokovic faced the Wimbledon crowd in an impassioned interview on Centre Court, despite being told three years ago that chants directed at Holger Rune were not boos.
Djokovic beat Rune on Monday night with a straight-sets victory 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in a dominant display.
The crowd attempted to support their opponent by chanting “Ruuuuuuuune” as the Dane struggled to get back into the match.
As comfortable as his victory was, Djokovic responded to the crowd in a post-match interview.
The umpire reportedly told the seven-time Wimbledon champion during the match that the crowd was simply chanting Rune’s name, rather than booing him.
Novak Djokovic took aim at the Centre Court crowd on Monday, accusing them of disrespecting him.
Djokovic had previously been informed that chants in support of his opponent Holger Rune were not boos directed at him at the 2021 US Open.
Rune, left, had been cheered on by the US Open crowd as the then 18-year-old Grand Slam debutant took a set off Djokovic in the first round.
The match was Djokovic’s sixth career meeting with Rune, the first at the US Open in 2021.
Djokovic was left confused by similar chants after Rune, then an 18-year-old Grand Slam debutant, won the second set of their first-round match, before the Serbian star triumphed in four sets.
“When I came back to the crowd in the second set and saw they were chanting Rune, I wondered what was going through your mind,” Djokovic was asked at a post-match press conference.
“I didn’t know what they were chanting, honestly, I thought they were booing,” Djokovic replied. “Okay, I don’t know.
“It wasn’t the ideal environment to tell you that, but I’ve been in that particular environment before, so I knew how to handle it.”
Djokovic added: ‘Obviously you always want to have the crowd behind you but it’s not always possible, that’s all I can say.
“I’ve been focusing on myself and what I need to do and seeing how I feel on the court and trying to stay calm, that’s all I can do.”
Djokovic, no stranger to facing a hostile crowd, made similar comments after his final match with Rune on Centre Court.
Djokovic had admitted after the match that he thought the chants were boos directed at him.
Similar chants were heard in support of Rune at Wimbledon, when the Dane struggled during a straight-sets loss on Monday.
Djokovic was told the crowd was probably chanting “Runeeee,” but he didn’t accept that.
The seven-time champion turned his on-court interview into a rant about what he felt were boos directed at him during his straight-sets victory on Monday night.
“To all the fans who have been respectful and stayed here tonight, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I appreciate it,” he began. “And to all those people who have chosen to disrespect the player, in this case me, have a gooooood night.”
BBC interviewer Rishi Persad said: “I hope they were just commenting on Rune and weren’t disrespecting you.”
Djokovic dismissed the suggestion, insisting: “They did it. They were disrespecting me. I don’t accept it. No, no, no. I know they were cheering for Rune, but that’s an excuse to boo as well.”
‘Listen, I’ve been on the circuit for over 20 years. I know all the tricks. I focus on respectful people who pay the entrance fee, who love tennis and appreciate the players. I’ve played in much more hostile environments, believe me, you guys can’t touch me.’
The 37-year-old appeared to believe some in the audience were masking the booing under the guise of supporting Rune.
In his post-match press conference, Djokovic stood by his statement.
“When I feel the crowd is overstepping the line, I react,” he said. “I don’t regret my words or my actions on the court.”
He also tweeted a photo after the game showing himself stretching for a ball across the court, with the caption: “Sliding into the quarters. Goodnight.”
Nick Kyrgios, also known for his on-court meltdowns, told BBC Sport afterwards: “There wasn’t (booing) but I think crowds around the world need to understand that Novak doesn’t need a bigger reason to play better.”
‘He’s a motivated player, one of the best in the world and I’ve seen it time and time again, the crowd tries to heckle him and that’s not what you want to do against Novak.
“He loves it. I try not to bother the bear when I play with him… and that’s very difficult for me. Obviously, it cost me my Wimbledon final.
“He doesn’t need a bigger reason to go out and prove to someone that he’s the best of all time.”
Clare Balding also chimed in, saying: “When Sue Barker came out the other day, people were shouting ‘Aa…
The seven-time champion turned his on-court interview into a tirade about what he felt were boos directed at him.
Djokovic appeared annoyed with the Wimbledon crowd throughout the match and did not accept a BBC interviewer’s explanation that they had only been supporting his opponent.
Djokovic hasn’t always had the best relationship with the crowd. Here he is seen blowing them a kiss after winning match point against Rune
Djokovic’s relationship with the public has not always been friendly. After beating Roger Federer in the 2019 final, his former coach Boris Becker said he deserved more respect from the crowd that had supported the Swiss star.
Two years ago, he was booed after blowing a kiss to fans following his semi-final win over Britain’s Cameron Norrie.
He also delighted audiences last year when he faced 20-year-old Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.
With the crowd at times rooting for the underdog Alcaraz, Djokovic again blew kisses to the fans.
He was also booed during the final when he hit the net post with his racket in frustration, argued with the umpire and stared at the Centre Court crowd.