Djokovic calls out 'disrespect' of some fans at Wimbledon after win

 

Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

Maybe the spectators on Centre Court were honoring Novak Djokovic's opponent by chanting his name. Perhaps they were jeering at Djokovic in an attempt to unsettle him. The 24-time Grand Slam champion was convinced it was the latter -- and he made it clear that he was displeased about it.

Djokovic comfortably defeated 15th-seeded Holger Rune 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in slightly over two hours on Monday evening to advance to the Wimbledon quarterfinals. Then he sent a message to the fans he felt were against him.

Supporters of Rune at various tournaments often elongate his last name, chanting, "Ruuuuuune!" -- which sounds quite similar to "Boooooo!" -- and that occurred once more on Monday.

During his on-court post-match interview, Djokovic briefly discussed the match, but then shifted to a conversation about the spectators.

"To all the fans that have respect and that stayed here tonight: Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate it. And to all those people that have chosen to disrespect the player -- in this case, me -- have a goooood night. Gooooood night. Gooooood night. Very gooooood night," he said, stretching out the "Os" in "good" so they sounded like "boo."

The interviewer tried to dissuade Djokovic from thinking anyone was trying to taunt him.

"They were. They were. They were. I don't accept it. I know they were cheering for Rune. But that's an excuse to also boo," Djokovic said. "Listen, I've been on the tour for more than 20 years. So trust me, I know all the tricks. I know how it works. It's fine. It's fine. It's OK. I focus on the respectful people, that have respect, that paid (for) a ticket to watch tonight -- and love tennis. And love tennis. And appreciate the players and the effort that the players put in here."

After the match ended, Djokovic gestured as if he were playing a violin, maybe mockingly indicating he felt bad for anyone in the arena that he had saddened by winning and getting to the quarterfinals at the All England Club for the 15th time.

He has won the championship at Wimbledon seven times and was the runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz last year.

"I played in much more hostile environments, trust me," Djokovic said. "You guys can't touch me."

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