“Your Last Time on Centre Court”: Denis Shapovalov Growls At Umpire Against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon Championships 2021

There are multiple records ready to be written at the men’s singles draw of Wimbledon Championships this year. While Novak Djokovic is edging closer to achieve a golden slam by winning the title, talented youngster Denis Shapovalov is looking to reach his maiden slam final.

The winner of this contest awaits Matteo Berrettini in the championship match. The Italian overpowered Hubert Hurkacz in the first semi-final of the day on Center Court.

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Coming to Djokovic vs Shapovalov, their head-to-head record favors the Serb as he won all their six encounters before. Hence, the world number one will be a clear favorite entering into this semi-final contest.

Shapovalov came close but lost the first set against Novak Djokovic

However, to everybody’s surprise, it was the Canadian who got the early break as he looked all set to win the first set. The Center court crowd embraced Shapovalov as they were impressed with his attacking style of tennis and cheered him on to win the first.

But, Djokovic is known for his survival skills on-court as he didn’t give up on the opening set and upped the ante on his return game to break the Canadian’s serve at 5-4.

Since then, the Serb played every big point to perfection and took the set to a tie-breaker. Shapovalov, on the other hand, managed to win more points than Djokovic but stumbled on crucial moments.

As the set went to a tie-breaker, the Serbian dominated Shapovalov and clinched the set, 7-6.

Even in the second set, the Canadian played really well but failed to break Djokovic’s serve. While there were some engaging rallies between the two, Shapovalov failed to break his opponent’s serve and failed to convert all the five break point opportunities given to him.

Towards the tail end of the second set, Shapovalov lost his serve at 5-5 and the set was once again in the hands of the world number one.

As Djokovic sailed through his service game, the chair umpire call from a backhand hit by the Serb made the Canadian vent out his emotions as he felt the foul call was way before he even hit the shot.

“The (foul) announcement was 30 minutes before I hit. On a set point, are you kidding me? 30 minutes before I hit! This is your last time up there ( on the umpire’s chair), your last time. An absolute joke”, growled the Canadian.

Djokovic won the second set and is edging closer to fulfill his dream of winning a sixth Wimbledon title.

Also read: Why Does Novak Djokovic Eat Grass at Wimbledon Championships?