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Australian Open referee scolds when Novak Djokovic leaves frustrated | Tennis | Sport

Australian Open referee scolds when Novak Djokovic leaves frustrated | Tennis | Sport

The referee was forced to intervene when Novak Djokovic became frustrated during his fourth round match against Jiri Lehecka on Sunday.

10 times Australian Open The champion took the first two sets with ease, but Lehecka stepped up in the third, making the competition tighter.

Fans began to side with the Czech star, with some throwing Djokovic off his game. The Serbian got tired when someone shouted at him while trying to serve and the referee had to scold the crowd.

Djokovic and Lehecka were playing the only singles match of the night session at the Rod Laver Arena. When the No. 24 seed found another level in the third set, the fans were behind him.

With Djokovic serving at 3-4, some spectators began shouting as he tried to serve and quickly became agitated.

“Djokovic just has to keep his focus here. It’s almost like there are some in the crowd trying to get under his skin,” Tim Henman said in commentary.

The 37-year-old tried to ignore him, but he continued. As he began his service move at 30-15, he was interrupted by a couple of shouts and shook his head.

Chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani intervened. “Please show your support but don’t bother the players, please, for both players,” he told the packed crowd, receiving cheers in return.

While it was difficult for Djokovic to accept, co-commentator Chris Bradnam suggested it wasn’t personal. “Only one singles match in this afternoon session and the public wants their money’s worth,” he said.

“I think they want more, so they’re on the underdog side here. It’s not necessarily against Novak, anything they can do to give the underdog a little bit of an advantage, they could do.”

Djokovic continued as normal but there were more problems when he served to stay in the set at 4-5. A spectator screamed when he tried to serve again and the world No. 7 ended the point with an error, waving his arms in disbelief.

Henman added: “Another noise from the crowd just as Djokovic was serving.”

The Serbian approached Lahyani when there were more interruptions after the next point and asked him to intervene again. But the referee considered the latest noise to be an inopportune coincidence.

“I don’t think anyone did it on purpose,” he explained as commentators agreed.

Djokovic took the set to a tiebreaker, touching his ear after reciting the winners to cheer up the crowd. And he sealed a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) victory to reach the quarterfinals.

Djokovic then denied his usual on-court interview with Jim Courier, took the microphone and said, “Thank you very much for being here tonight, I appreciate your presence and support and I will see you in the next round.” Djokovic then walked away.

The world No 7 later confirmed this was in protest at “offensive” comments made by Channel 9 presenter Tony Jones, and said he would continue his stance until receiving an apology, even if he is fined.