Novak Djokovic denounced the Centre Court audience of ‘disrespect’ after defeating Holger Rune in straight sets at Wimbledon.
The seven-time Wimbledon winner, known as the ‘bad boy’ of tennis, unleashed the odd diatribe following his fourth-round match against the Dane.
During an awkward post-match interview, the world number two retaliated when cries of ‘Ruuuuuuu-ne’ resounded from Centre Court, as the audience supported his opponent. Many speculated that the star had misheard the crowd’s applause as boos. Djokovic, 37, won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, before blaming the fans of rude shouts.
“And to all those people who have chosen to disrespect the player – in this case me – have a good night,” Djokovic said during his post-match interview.
Despite interviewers’ assertions that the crowd’s chants were not boos, Djokovic was unconvinced. “They were.” They were [disrespecting me],” he continued, “and I would not take it. No, no. I know they were rooting for Rune, but that’s just an excuse to boo.” However, shortly after Djokovic’s comments, Rune conceded that his moniker might have easily been misinterpreted as a boo to the champion, who is looking for his eighth Wimbledon crown.
