Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic was left fuming at the chair umpire after a group of fans were spotted provoking him during his second round match at the Australia Open 2023. In his match against Enzo Cuacuad, Djokovic was repeatedly receiving abuses from four ‘drunk’ fans at the Rod Laver Arena. An angry Djokovic then reached to the chair umpire and demanded the fans to be kicked out of the arena. Follow Australian Open 2023 LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic fumes at chair umpire after provocation from ‘drunk’ fans, gets them evicted from the stadium during his second round match at Australian Open – Watch Video
“The guy’s 𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝… he’s not here to watch tennis!”
A furious Novak Djokovic pleads with the umpire to remove a loud spectator from the audience 😤#AusOpen | @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/IiASc4pyEj
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 19, 2023
The incident took place during the third set of the match. Djokovic was leading 2-0 at that time. He had to stop his serve after repeated chants from four fans dressed as ‘Where’s Wally’. Djokovic walked straight to the chair umpire. “You know who it is. The guy’s drunk out of his mind. From the first point he’s been provoking me. He’s not here to watch tennis. He just wants to get in my head,” he said.
He then confronted the official by asking, “So I’m asking you, what are you going to do about it? You heard him at least 10 times. I heard him 50 times. What are you going to do about it?, Why don’t you get him out of the stadium? Why?”
The chair umpire was unmoved and Djokovic had to resume action. However several minutes later, the camera showed security officials at the stadium escorting the fans out of the stadium. Djokovic, who would eventually win 6-1, 6-7, 6-2, 6-0.
Crowd member: *mumbles before Novak serves*
Another crowd member, to the first guy: “shut up”
Djokovic: “thank you”
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) January 19, 2023
Djokovic will next face Grigor Dimitrov in the third round of the tournament. The Serbian struggled with his hamstring injury during the second round contest and hopes to be fit in time for the next contest that is scheduled on Saturday, 21st January.
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic fumes at chair umpire after provocation from ‘drunk’ fans, gets them evicted from the stadium during his second round match at Australian Open – Watch Video
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