Djokovic hits out at Wimbledon crowd
Novak Djokovic blasted Wimbledon’s Centre Court crowd, claiming fans “whistled and coughed” as he prepared to serve, insisting he deserves better treatment.
The three-time champion described the sometimes febrile atmosphere on the famed arena on Saturday as similar to that of a Davis Cup tie as he downed home favourite Kyle Edmund 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. Djokovic was furious with the reaction of a section of the crowd after he had been given a time violation for bouncing the ball too often.
“I thought the crowd’s reaction was quite unnecessary. A couple of guys pretending they were coughing and whistling while I was bouncing the ball more or less to the end of the match at that end where I received the time violation,” said former world No. 1 Djokovic.
“Those are the things obviously that people don’t get to see or hear on the TV. I just think it’s not necessary. That’s what I didn’t like.”
Djokovic responded by sarcastically blowing kisses to the crowd and cupping his ear as he unleashed the winning strokes that took him into a 44th last-16 appearance at the Grand Slams.
Roger Federer and Serena Williams will be expected to maintain their flawless progress at Wimbledon as the title favourites head into the fourth round.
Federer faces French 22nd seed Adrian Mannarino for a place in the quarter-finals.
Rafael Nadal plays Czech Jiri Vesely, while Djokovic takes on Russia’s Karen Khachanov.