Watch: Novak Djokovic Loses Cool After Chair Umpire Fails To Control Crowd Behaviour At US Open
jokovic secured a 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 victory, improving to 11-0 against the 2024 runner-up Fritz and reaching a record-extending 53rd Grand Slam semifinal, a total that includes a record-tying 14 at Flushing Meadows.
Along the way, Djokovic got into it with the spectators backing his opponent, although it’s worth noting there were plenty supporting the man who’s spent more time at No. 1 than anyone in tennis history, too.
Still, there were those applauding and cheering faults by Djokovic, considered a no-no in tennis.
It reached a head in the third set, when the fault celebrations grew more raucous as the clock passed 10:30 p.m. Things got a little messy in the match as Djokovic became visibly angry with the excessive crowd jeering after he missed a first serve while trying to defend a break point. Maintaining silence between serves is a rule that the crowd is aware of, but Djokovic wasn’t happy to see the repeated interruptions during his service games.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner decided to take up the matter with the chair umpire and highlighted the umpire’s failure to control the crowd. In a video that has surfaced on social media, Djokovic could be heard saying, “What are you going to do?” and blaming him by stating, “All you say is thank you, please, thank you please,” expressing his displeasure.
