Novak Djokovic was jeered by the entire Wimbledon Centre Court audience after launching a ball in frustration during his second-round clash with Roman Safiullin. The 39-year-old lost his composure as the third set slipped away, exploding when Safiullin fired a ball towards his body, forcing Djokovic to concede the point and the set.
Djokovic's Meltdown on Centre Court
Djokovic barely shifted to avoid Safiullin's shot, which broke his serve and handed the set to the qualifier. In response, Djokovic grabbed a tennis ball and hammered it well after the point had ended, prompting the crowd to erupt with jeers, turning against the seven-time champion.
BBC commentator Nick Lester explained: “This time he [Safiullin] makes it, and Djokovic has let his frustrations out.” Tim Henman added: “He’s had a warning already.”
McEnroe Recalls Past Incidents
John McEnroe, also on commentary, discussed Djokovic's previous indiscretions: “Got defaulted at the [US] Open when he did that and hit a lineswoman. Almost happened in Australia, he barely missed a ballboy. Safiullin went right at him, that didn’t make him too happy. What’s most displeasing is he dumped serve there.”
Earlier, Djokovic received a code violation after shouting “b*******” and several Serbian words on court. The umpire announced: “Code violation, audible obscenity, warning, Mr. Djokovic.” McEnroe was confused: “When you hear another language, it immediately goes to your native tongue. I’d love to know what he was just saying. Apparently the umpire knows.”
Djokovic accepted the violation without complaint, as Henman noted: “There was no complaint from Djokovic, so.”
