Novak Djokovic shuts down journalist after being asked if he PROVOKED the crowd in Paris before getting heavily booed 

Djokovic was seen gesturing for the crowd to intensify the booing during match against Tallon Griekspoor.

Novak Djokovic shuts down journalist after being asked if he PROVOKED the crowd in Paris before getting heavily booed 

Novak Djokovic (Image via X)

Serbian tennis ace Novak Djokovic does not have a great record in terms of getting support from the crowd. The 24-time Grand Slam winner gets booed more often than not and it was no different in Paris. During his third-round match at the Paris Masters, Djokovic had to face the heat from the fans throughout his match.

The Serbian, losing the first set, gave the crowd a chance to get under Djokovic’s skin. However, the Serbian used the booing to his advantage as he won the next two sets and eventually the match. Djokovic was even seen gesturing for the crowd to intensify the booing.

YouTube video

This gesture led to a journalist questioning if the Serbian provoked the crowd. Clearly, Djokovic did not like the question as he gave a fierce response. The 36-year-old, in reply to this uncomfortable question, asked what that person thought of the entire episode.

FS Video
I don’t know, what do you think? When I asked them to boo a bit more then I won eight points in a row so I guess that was good. Was it me doing it on purpose or the public, what do you think? Equal? Well, I completely disagree with you. I think I didn’t do anything to provoke the public, absolutely anything. But it is what it is.
Novak Djokovic replied to the reporter.

Novak Djokovic calls Parisian fans special

Despite all the booing, Djokovic called the Paris crowd special but rather in a sarcastic tone. When the 24-time Grand Slam winner was asked if the fans here in Paris were special, Djokovic reckoned ‘special’ was a good word to describe them.

Novak-Djokovic-Paris-Masters
Novak Djokovic during Paris Masters (Image via talkSPORT)
That’s a good word, very special, yeah. Very, very special. It’s very special.
Novak Djokovic said about the fans in Paris.

Coming to Djokovic’s match against Tallon Griekspoor, the Serbian nearly survived an upset. The US Open champion conceded the first set 4-6. The Serbian had to battle hard in the second set to stay in contention. He won the second set in the tiebreaker. By the third and deciding set, Djokovic had gotten his rhythm back and thus claimed the set 6-4.

After the match, Novak Djokovic revealed why he struggled in the first set. While refusing to downplay Grieskpoor’s gameplay, praising the Dutch for not dropping his level, Djokovic revealed that he had some issues in his stomach and hence was unable to break free. 

I started off well but I ran out of steam. I've been struggling the last couple of days with my stomach and I just didn't feel myself at all. I was just trying to hold my serve and get to a tie-break, which happened in the second. I got lucky on a couple of shots there. It could have easily gone his way, but overall I played a good tie-break and I started to feel better in the third. I'm really, really glad to overcome this challenge.
Novak Djokovic said on his win. (H/T: ATP)

The Serbian ace will now face defending champion Holger Rune in what will be a rematch of the 2022 Final.

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