Super Nova lashes out at umpire
NOVAK DJOKOVIC claimed he is a man on a mission to reclaim the Wimbledon title – after another clash with an umpire.
The three-time champion reached his first semi-final here since 2015, beating Kei Nishikori 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-2.
But the former world No.1 was hit with a code violation by Carlos Ramos for unsportsmanlike conduct after throwing his racquet in the second set.
Djokovic accused the Portuguese umpire of “double standards” when the Japanese star escaped punishment for the same in the fourth set – and the Serb was again booed by the Centre Court crowd like on Saturday.
The 12-time Grand Slam champion said: “I thought it was unnecessary to get the warning. He said he thinks it damaged the court.
“Nishikori did the same in the fourth set and he didn’t get a warning. I think that’s not fair. He claims that he didn’t see what Nishikori has done, but apparently he always sees what I do.
“Sometimes it fires you up. Sometimes that’s what you need.”
Djokovic initially allowed the dispute to disrupt his game, dropping his second set of the tournament.
But he responded from facing three break points at the start of the third set to win 20 out of 24 points to take control – and reach his first Grand Slam semi since the 2016 US Open.
The 31-year-old, who pulled out of the quarterfinals last year with an elbow injury, said: “Am I a man on a mission? Of course. That is why I am here. I think my level of tennis is pretty close to when I won here.”
Djokovic now plays Rafa Nadal in tomorrow’s semifinal. Nadal survived a huge scare, coming from behind to beat Juan Martin Del Porto 7-5 6-7 4-6 6-4 6-4.