“Sorry for Screaming”: Novak Djokovic Displays Sportsmanship Spirit, Apologizes to Chair Umpire for Outburst at Italian Open 2021

World number one Novak Djokovic, who is yet to win a clay-court title this year, has had a winning start to his Italian Open campaign as he defeated the American Taylor Fritz 6-3,7-6(5) in a rain-delayed contest. 

Novak Djokovic won the first set comfortably, as he didn’t leave any room for error for Fritz to capitalize on. Both Djokovic and Fritz had also had a drama-filled matchup at the Australian Open this year, where the Serb clinched the victory in a five-setter. 

Novak Djokovic had an outburst at the chair umpire at the Italian Open

In today’s match in Rome, the Serb was serving for the match at 5-4 in the second. By that time, there was moderate rain, and the court was partially wet. Djokovic couldn’t keep up the intensity in his serve due to the slippery conditions and lost the game to Fritz. 

The Serb was intensely disappointed and lashed out at the umpire for not suspending the game soon enough. 

However, when the match resumed after the rain stopped, Djokovic apologized to the chair umpire and was heard saying, “Sorry for screaming earlier.”

Also read: “HOW MUCH MORE DO YOU WANNA PLAY!”: Novak Djokovic Yells at Chair Umpire During Italian Open 2021 Battle Against Taylor Fritz

Djokovic has had similar outbursts in the past as well

The world number one finished without any trouble in the tie-breaker of the second set. Even though Fritz tried his best to stay close in the breaker, Djokovic’s near-perfect tennis gave no chance to the American. 

As talented as he is on-court, the Serb remains a trouble-maker at times, especially when things don’t go his way during a tennis match. From the viewers’ perspective, it can sometimes feel like Djokovic needs an outburst in crucial matches to bounce back and play his style of tennis. 

However, the Serb has always maintained that it was his way of dealing with the on-court pressure. Keeping aside the occasional outbursts, Djokovic has always embraced his shortcomings, and it is one of the many reasons why fans adore him across the globe. 

It is worth noting that there have also been instances where Djokovic displayed sportsmanship spirit towards his opponents and appreciated them genuinely at the handshake post the match. 

The Serb will play the winner of the matchup between Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Cameron Norrie for a place in the quarter-finals of the Italian Open. 

Also read: “This Is What Happens When You Practice With Andy Murray”: Novak Djokovic After Tennis Ball Fail at Italian Open 2021