‘I’m no spoiled brat!’ Novak Djokovic forced to deal with US Open heckler
Novak Djokovic said he was not acting like a ‘spoiled brat’ after complaining about a disruptive fan during his second-round win over Tallon Griekspoor at the US Open.
Despite the efforts of the noisy spectator to disrupt his rhythm, Djokovic came through convincingly 6-2 6-3 6-2 against the Dutchman on Arthur Ashe.
The vocal fan sat court-side was intent on putting Djokovic off, shouting just before an overhead smash which the Serb missed as a result.
The spectator continued to call out during key points, which prompted the 20-time Major winner to complain to the umpire.
“When tennis players talk about that, someone who is watching team sports would say, ‘What a spoiled brat’,” said the world number one.
“But it’s a different sport. Look, there’s a lot of noise happening on the stadium, particularly in the night sessions. I don’t mind that.
“Even sometimes during the point it happens that people out of excitement, they just scream or they release like a sound or whatever, sigh, whatever you call it. And that’s fine.
“But if someone intentionally does it over and over again, then I have tolerance up to a certain point, then it’s not correct, then it’s not fine. It’s not fair. I feel like it’s not good for us players.
“I mean, particularly that guy for some reason was calling, raising the sound and kind of screaming just before I would hit my smash, which was a big point. Before that he would do a few times. After that again.
“That wasn’t nice. That’s all. I don’t mind the noise. Don’t get me wrong. I think it’s important for the entertainment, for the crowds, the music.
“I get it. But if someone does it over and over again, particularly when you are at his side, he knows why he’s doing it.
“The guy that I pointed out, he knew exactly what he was doing, and that’s all.”
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