MELBOURNE, Australia — Already sick and tired and mired in another slog at the early rounds of the Australian Open, reigning champion Novak Djokovic unloaded on a heckler who crossed the line Wednesday at Rod Laver Arena.
The top-seeded star angrily challenged the spectator to “say that to my face” and gestured to the man to come down onto the court where Djokovic has won 10 of his 24 Grand Slam singles titles, more than anyone in men’s tennis history.
He then went on a roll, winning three straight games from 2-2 in the fourth set before finishing off Australia’s Alexei Popyrin to win 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4) 6-3.
The 36-year-old Serb then turned to the crowd again and yelled, pumping his fist to celebrate the victory.
Asked later what triggered his rage, Djokovic responded: “I mean, you don’t want to know.”