"If people react in a way I don't deserve, I'll react back": Novak Djokovic hits back after crowd trouble in Monte-Carlo

Serbia’s tennis star Novak Djokovic has stated that he will ‘react back’ if he does not get the respect he deserves from a section of the crowd. The 36-year-old is often regarded as the greatest player in the history of men’s tennis in the singles category.

Djokovic was involved in a controversial exchange during the Monte-Carlo Masters with the fans sitting in the arena. The reigning world number one was quoted after the match where he stated that he will react if he does not get the deserving respect from the crowd.

"I try to transform the energy into something that is constructive for me. I'm not looking for trouble with crowd. You know, I'm not there coming out, Okay, start whistling at me and I'll play better," he said. "It's not the kind of mentality I have. But if people start to react in a certain way that I don't think I deserve, you know, I don't think it's fair, if I don't think it's anyhow explainablw, then, you know, I'll react back. You know, I have grown up with that kind of mentality that if somebody is doing something wrong to you, you stand your ground.”

Djokovic booked his place in the third round of the competition after beating Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in the round of 32 clash in straight sets with a score of 7-5, 6-3. He is now set to face off against Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the round 16 clash of the competition on Friday.