Novak Djokovic in X-rated outburst after not realising Australian Open rules had changed during Prizmic win
ATPTuesday, 16 January 2024 at 21:21
Novak
Djokovic had an X-rated outburst against some spectators during his match with
Dino Prizmic (No. 187) following a rule change at the 2024 Australian Open that
the Serbian was unaware of. The 24-times Grand Slam champion advanced to the
second round by overcoming his young rival 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4.
Controversy
arose because the rules now allow spectators to move between seats between
games or enter and exit the stadiums, something that previously required
waiting until the changeover. Djokovic even shouted "Shut the f**k
up" at some spectators as they moved.
The new
freedom for fans was not known to Djokovic, who admitted he was unaware of the
change: "I did not know about that new policy or new rule,” he said.
Although it is not ideal for Djokovic, he acknowledged that he understands the
reasons behind the rule: “Look, I mean, I understand the motive behind it is to
enhance and improve the experience for fans, right?
"We do
play for fans. We want fans to have a great, thrilling experience of being out
on the court. It's hard, I must say. I understand that and I support it to some
extent, but at the same time, all my career, all my life I've been used to some
kind of atmosphere.”
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‘Nole’
added that the changes distracted him a bit and also led to the match being
extended due to the movements of the audience: “When that changes, it kind of
messes up, distracts you a bit. Today we lost quite a bit of time when they
were letting people in to come to their seats, even though it was not a
changeover.
"My
opponent would wait for them to sit down. It dragged a lot. I don't know if
it's really the best rule, but I do understand from a tournament and fan
perspective it's probably better because they don't want to wait. They want to
come out and enjoy every single point,” 10-times Aussie Open champion added. "I'm
kind of divided between the two in a way."
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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