Fans booted after 'provoking' irate Djokovic

1 year ago 72

Security was forced to escort a radical of rowdy fans retired of Rod Laver Arena during Novak Djokovic's 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-0 triumph implicit Enzo Couacaud connected Thursday night.

In the 3rd crippled of the 4th set, Djokovic voiced his displeasure to seat umpire Fergus Murphy, claiming a spectator was "drunk retired of his mind".

"You're kidding me, I cognize who it is. The guy's drunk retired of his mind. From the archetypal points, the guy's present provoking me," Djokovic could beryllium heard saying.

"He's not present to ticker tennis. He conscionable wants to get successful my head.

"So I'm asking you, what are you going to bash astir it? You heard him astatine slightest 10 times, I heard him 50 times.

Watch the Australian Open unrecorded and escaped connected the Nine Network: Channel 9, 9Gem and 9NOW.

"Get the information defender to get him retired of the stadium."

A information defender was past seen talking to a radical of spectators who were dressed successful Where's Wally costumes.

They were soon escorted retired of the stadium.

Djokovic defied wounded concerns earlier successful the lucifer arsenic courtside commentator Josh Eagle caught show of the nine-time Australian Open champion limping betwixt points.

"What the cameras mightiness not person picked up connected ... erstwhile Enzo Couacaud came successful and knocked disconnected that volley earlier successful the (fourth) game, Novak pulled up and determination was a grimace connected his look and a small spot of a limp," helium said.

"That was precise noticeable. A fewer of america courtside did not miss it.

"So I'm conscionable wondering however the limb is genuinely feeling.

Djokovic's cheeky quip to crowd

"I americium convinced helium is playing truthful aggressively this tourney due to the fact that helium is trying to support the points shorter. He doesn't privation to get into long, grinding rallies."

After respective attempts to agelong retired his troublesome near hamstring, Djokovic called for the trainer to person immoderate treatment, earlier concisely leaving the court.

Despite fears the lingering wounded could unit him to retire, Djokovic returned to the tribunal with re-enforced strapping and resumed his winning ways.

"There was a batch happening successful tonight's match," Djokovic said post-match.

"We some had immoderate aesculapian times retired and struggled a bit."

For a regular dose of the champion of the breaking quality and exclusive contented from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!