Djokovic walks out of Interview: “Do you have any other questions?”
On Monday night, Novak Djokovic walked out of a BBC interview after being asked three consecutive questions about the crowd’s behaviour during Holger Rune match
Chryslene Caillaud / Panoramic
After his win against Holger Rune, and after expressing his feelings about some of the crowd’s behaviour during the match, Novak Djokovic walked out of a BBC interview when asked about that atmosphere. During their round 4 match, large sections of the crowd broke into chants of ‘RUNE’, which is typical for many of the Dane’s matches, however, Djokovic believed that some of the crowd was using it as an excuse to simply boo him. This theory was also backed up by BBC journalist, sitting court side, Sara Thornton.
The Serbian legend started the interview by reiterating what he had stated on Centre Court just a short while earlier:
“Most of the people in the stadium tonight were respectful, I thank them and I know that, after watching tennis all day, it’s not easy to stay. So, I was thankful, I don’t take it for granted. Obviously, they’re a big part of why I still play, the crowds and the people who really appreciate us tennis players and what we do and the effort we put in. When I feel the crowd is stepping over the line then I react. I don’t regret my words or action on the court”
they’re a big part of why I still play, the crowds and the people who really appreciate us tennis players and what we do and the effort we put in. when I feel the crowd is stepping over the line then I react.
Novak Djokovic on crowd behaviour
However, when asked by the reporter if negative crowd behaviour towards him makes Djokovic play even better, the 7-time Wimbledon champion snapped back:
“Do you have any other questions other than about the crowd? I mean are you only focused on that? Any questions about the match? I mean this is the third question about it already”
I mean are you only focused on that? Any questions about the match? I mean this is the third question about it already
Novak Djokovic to the BBC reporter
Before the BBC reporter could fully ask his question about his next match against Alex De Minaur, which the Australian subsequently withdrew from, Djokovic quickly stated:
“Yeah, I look forward to it, it’s going to be a tough one.”
After that short answer, the Serb stood up from his chair and abruptly ended the interview, clearly feeling aggrieved by the line of questioning by the insistent reporter.
