‘You can’t touch me': Novak Djokovic explodes against fans' ‘disrespect’ after reaching Wimbledon quarterfinal
Djokovic launched an angry outburst at a section of fans who constantly chanted "Rune" throughout his Wimbledon match, which the Serb took to be booing.
Novak Djokovic called out the "disrespectful" Wimbledon crowd on Centre Court and refused to accept that the spectators were cheering for his opponent Holger Rune after the Serb beat world No. 15. The seven-time Wimbledon champion, chasing an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title, registered a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win on Monday to reach a 60th major quarter-final and 15th at the All England Club.
After the win, Djokovic launched a scathing attack on a section of the Centre Court crowd, who kept chanting "Rune" throughout the better part of the match, which the Serb took to be booing.
"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," Djokovic said in a withering on-court tirade. "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' exaggerated "Ruuuuune".
The TV interviewer quickly clarified to Djokovic that that the fans were only cheering for Rune rather than "boo" him, but the world no. 2 was in no mood to accept it.
"They were (booing). 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 know how it works. 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."
The first time Djokovic heard the "Ruuuune" cheers was during the second set when the Dane saved set points on his serve to keep the match alive, but the action from the Centre Court crowd left the 24-time Slam winner furious.
"They're not booing, they're saying Rune," tennis legend John McEnroe said on BBC commentary. "Djokovic is confused by that. He thinks he's being booed which he absolutely isn't. The crowd are just trying to keep the young guy in it." But Nick Kyrgios was quick to add: "One thing you don't want to do though is poke the bear."
It seemed the Aussie was right as it riled up the Serb, who then scripted a straight-set win.
Speaking to the media after a loss in the round of 16 match, Rune recalled his fans started chanting name in their distinctive, bellowing manner when he first faced Djokovic back in the 2021 US Open.
"It sounded a little bit like 'boo'. We played each other many more times, but more in Italy and France, where they don't pronounce my name the same way," he said.
"Now we're in England. If you don't know what was happening, probably it sounded like 'boo'. If he didn't remember, it could probably sound different for him."
Djokovic will next face face Australian ninth seed Alex de Minaur for a place in the semi-finals.
