Emotions ran high for Novak Djokovic on Monday (July 8) as he angrily lashed out at Wimbledon fans following his three-set demolition job over young Dane Holger Rune in the fourth round, while it was game over for a previously indestructible Alexander Zverev.
After tentative performances in his two previous outings, seven-time champion Djokovic had appeared to be back to his best against Rune as he dished out a 6-3 6-4 6-2 masterclass to set up a quarter-final date with Australian Alex De Minaur.
But for the thousands of fans who had stuck around late into the night to watch the match under a closed Centre Court roof, it is unlikely their abiding memory from day eight of the championships will have anything to do with the dazzling backhands or forehands that were on show.
Instead, what they will remember is the astonishing words that flowed out of Djokovic’s mouth during a bizarre post-match interview, in which he accused the crowd of disrespecting him.
When the interviewer suggested the fans had merely been chanting his rival’s name, Djokovic disagreed.
It was a strange way to end proceedings on Centre Court which had earlier witnessed world number four Zverev becoming the highest men’s seed to fall by the wayside.
The German came unstuck against Taylor Fritz in a five-set thriller despite being only two games away from securing a place in the last eight for the first time.
Elena Rybakina, the only women’s Wimbledon champion left in the draw, got an easy ride after Anna Kalinskaya retired hurt while trailing 6-3 3-0, while Jelena Ostapenko was a 6-2 6-3 winner over Yulia Putintseva.
(Reuters)