Djokovic to face another potentially hostile Wimbledon crowd

As the seven-time Wimbledon champion and one of the “big four” players who have dominated tennis during the 21st century, Novak Djokovic could expect a hero’s welcome on Centre Court.

But he could be met with his most hostile All England Club reception ever when he steps onto the grass on Wednesday for his quarter-final against Alex de Minaur.

After accusing fans of booing, and storming out of an interview, the world number two will also face a home crowd cheering on de Minaur, who is seen as an honorary Brit for his romance with Katie Boulter, the British number one.

Speaking after his straight sets victory on Monday, Djokovic, 37, said that fans had used the name of his opponent Holger Rune, as “an excuse to boo” and that this constituted “crossing the line”.

Hundreds of fans greeted Rune winners, and Djokovic errors, with elongated cries of “Ruuuuuuune” during the pair’s fourth-round match.

“To all the fans that have had respect, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I appreciate it,” he said during a post-match interview on court with Rishi Persad.

“And to all those people that have chosen to disrespect the player – in this case me – have a goooooooood night.”

The interviewer attempted to suggest they were only cheering on his opponent, but the Serbian disagreed.

“I know they were cheering for Rune but that’s an excuse to also boo,” he said. “I have been on the tour for more than 20 years. I know all the tricks.”

He later spoke to the BBC in the evening and in a clip broadcast on Wimbledon Today, he walked out mid-interview.

When initially asked how he felt about his post-match reaction, Djokovic bluntly replied “same” before he was asked if he felt he was getting enough respect as a seven-time champion and record 24-time grand slam winner.

However after a third question on the topic, he snapped back and asked: “Do you have any questions other than the crowd?

“I mean are you focused only on that or any questions about the match, or something like that? Or is it solely focused on that? This is the third question already, I said what I have to say, maybe we can speak about something else.”

As the interviewer suggested his opponent was “going to be popular here”, he got up, turned his back and walked off.

Djokovic will play against de Minaur, 25, in his 16th Wimbledon quarter-final, and the Australian has already said has felt “loved” on Centre Court.

“Oh, 100 per cent. I’ll take all the support I can get,” he said on Monday after reaching his first Wimbledon quarter-final when asked if he was ready to be a fan favourite.

“I can be the honorary Brit. I do feel very loved out there, I must say. I always love coming here to Wimbledon and playing here. I always feel like I play some of my best tennis. Over the years I feel like the support I’ve had has grown significantly.”

The world number nine has been dating Boulter for three years and the pair also competed together in the mixed doubles last year.

“It’s a great feeling as a player to know you’ve got a lot of people in that stadium backing you in, having your back when essentially you’re so far away from home,” he added.

“I do feel a bit British, definitely over the years I’ve learnt a lot more about British culture thanks to Katie. I’m getting there,”