Novak Djokovic has made a scathing attack on Wimbledon fans after his win over 15th seed Holger Rune. Djokovic defeated Rune 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in straight sets to storm into the quarterfinals.
Rune’s supporters at various tournaments often will stretch out his last name, saying, “Ruuuuuune!” — which sounds rather similar to “Boooooo!” — and that happened again Monday.
When the match ended, Djokovic gestured as if he were playing a violin, maybe mockingly indicating he felt bad for anyone in the arena that he had saddened by winning and getting to the quarterfinals at the All England Club for the 15th time.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts as he is interviewed after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark in their fourth round match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London. (AP)
“To all the fans that have respect and that stayed here tonight: Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate it,” Djokovic said in his pot-match interview.
And to all those people that have chosen to disrespect the player — in this case, me — have a goooood night. Gooooood night. Gooooood night. Very gooooood night,” he said, stretching out the “Os” in “good” so they sounded like “boo.”
The interviewer tried to dissuade Djokovic from thinking anyone was trying to taunt him.
“They were. They were. They were. I don’t accept it. I know they were cheering for Rune. But that’s an excuse to also boo,” Djokovic said.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia gestures to the crowd as he is interviewed after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark in their fourth round match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London. (AP)
“Listen, I’ve been on the tour for more than 20 years. So trust me, I know all the tricks. I know how it works.
“It’s fine. It’s fine. It’s OK. I focus on the respectful people, that have respect, that paid (for) a ticket to watch tonight — and love tennis. And love tennis.
“And appreciate the players and the effort that the players put in here.”
“I played in much more hostile environments, trust me,” Djokovic said. “You guys can’t touch me.”
Djokovic has won Wimbledon seven times and was the runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz last year.
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