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via Imago

via Imago

They say, expect the unexpected. The current number 1 player, Novak Djokovic, was recently stunned by 8th-seeded Norwegian Casper Ruud at the Monte-Carlo Masters. Aside from his surprising semifinal defeat at the ATP Masters 1000 event, there was a controversial incident involving the Serbian player that has now caught the attention of the entire tennis community.

In a three-set thriller, Ruud managed to overcome the 24-time singles Grand Slam champion with a score of 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. However, during the decisive set, after he missed a forehand from the baseline, Djokovic turned his attention to a fan who had been disturbing him while supporting his Norwegian opponent throughout the match. The top-seeded player was then heard shouting, “Shut the f*ck up!”

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After getting shouted out by the 36-year-old player, the spectator faced severe punishment as he was ejected from the stadium by the security. This is not the first time that the tennis community has witnessed the Serb getting involved in a fiery altercation with a fan this season. Even during the Grand Slam event in Melbourne, a heckler had to face the wrath of the ‘Djoker’ after he tried to distract him during his second-round match.

“Come down and tell it to my face”– Novak Djokovic’s heated exchange with a spectator at the Australian Open

In his second-round game at this season’s Australian Open, the 24-time singles Grand Slam champion defeated the local favorite Alexei Popyrin, with a score of 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3. However, in the fourth set, the ‘Djoker’ got involved in a testy exchange with a heckler at the Rod Laver Arena. As he confronted the spectator who was constantly trying to disturb him, the Serbian tennis player also asked him to ‘come down’ and ‘tell it to his face.’ In his post-match press conference, Djokovic said, “At one point I had had enough, and I asked him whether he wants to come down and tell it to my face.” 

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He also said, “That’s what I was asking him. If you have courage, if you’re such a tough man, tough guy, come down and tell it to my face, and let’s have a discussion about it.” The current number 1 player also opened up about how he was feeling a ‘lot of mixed emotions’ while playing in front of a boisterous atmosphere in the stadium. “It’s frustrating when you have the hecklers,” he added.

What do you think of the Serbian tennis star’s heated exchange with hecklers this season? Let us know in the comments section.