Novak Djokovic confronts a heckler at the Australian Open and slams rowdy crowd for ‘shouting between serves’, telling a fan: ‘Come say that to my face’ – as Nick Kyrgios offers to jump into the stands to defend him!
- Novak Djokovic faced a heckler in the second round on Wednesday
- World No. 1 Djokovic repeatedly told the spectator to ‘come and say that to my face’
- Nick Kyrgios jokingly offered afterwards to help Djokovic deal with troublemakers
Novak Djokovic was involved in a fiery argument with a spectator during his second-round match against home favorite Alexei Popyrin at the Australian Open on Wednesday.
The incident occurred at 2-2 in the fourth set, shortly after Djokovic had taken the third on a tie-break to take a two-set lead. As he walked to the back of the field, the Serbian superstar looked up at the crowd and got into an animated conversation with a heckler, repeatedly telling them to “come and say that to my face.”
The conversation lasted several seconds before Djokovic eventually turned his back to focus on the match again as he tried to remain calm after being irritated by the fans’ behavior.
That moment seemed to inspire him as Djokovic immediately raised his level, taking the fourth set 6-3 and booking his place in the last 32 in Melbourne. But he was angry with the crowd’s reaction during the match when they tried to inspire Popyrin to an upset victory, and he criticized their behavior in a post-match interview.
When asked what he thought of the partisan crowd at Melbourne Park, Djokovic replied: ‘Not the best atmosphere to play in, to be honest. People were basically making noise the entire match between the first and second serves.
Novak Djokovic got into a fiery exchange with a heckler during his second-round match
Djokovic pointed to the spectator and repeatedly told them ‘come and say that to my face’
The exchange appeared to help Djokovic as he raised his level to reach the last 32, but he slammed the Australian Open crowd after the match.
“What really frustrated me is when someone bothers me in the crowd. I told him to say it to my face, but at that moment I didn’t have the courage.”
Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios commented for Eurosport before the match, as he is sidelined due to injury, and accused the heckler of ‘poking the bear’, which only increased Djokovic’s determination to win after an unconvincing performance.
Kyrgios and Djokovic have enjoyed an unlikely bromance since they last met at Wimbledon in 2022, and the Australian praised his friend while also joking that he would be happy to help him deal with more troublemakers.
After Djokovic urged him to return to the tour to play doubles with him, Krygios replied: “I’m ready. Let’s do WWE in the crowd. I’ll jump in for you, I’ll go first. I’m getting that guy out of here!’
Nick Kyrgios offered to help Djokovic deal with hecklers in a hilarious post-match interview
Djokovic laughed at Krygios’ offer before adding: ‘I would love that. Get some popcorn and watch that.”
After winning 10 times at the Australian Open, Djokovic remains on course to defend his title but is yet to find his best form after dropping a set in each of his first two matches this year.
He looks set for another stern test in his next match when he takes on Argentine 30th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Echeverry knocked out Andy Murray in straight sets in the opening round and defeated Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Wednesday to set up a meeting with Djokovic.