“Sometimes I would face them”: Novak Djokovic braces loud Roland Garros crowd ahead of Moutet showdown
ATP
Novak Djokovic is preparing for his second-round match at Roland Garros against local favorite Corentin Moutet, a player known for his unique style and for engaging the crowd. The 24-time Grand Slam champion opened up about how he deals with "interruptions" ahead of a match where the audience is sure to play a significant role.
Facing a French player on Philippe Chatrier is never easy. And if there's anyone who knows about it, it's Djokovic, who has dealt with entirely hostile crowds in the past. "Anywhere you go, and you play the local player coming from that country where the slam is played, they're going to have the crowd on their side. It's nothing strange about it. It's expected."
"But it is true that here in France and in Paris, comparing to other slams, the people are louder and more passionate and just give more support, louder support, more energy to their player, which for some players can be annoying.”
A day earlier, Jakub Mensik had to learn to deal with the passionate French crowd on Court 14 when he faced local player Alexandre Muller. The Czech had a provocative response to the jeers, which later went viral on social media. "Nole" himself has previously responded to crowd provocations when they have been against him.
"It's not the kind of ideal environment you want to be playing in, but you have to be ready for it,” Djokovic added in the press conference. “Look, I played in a lot of hostile environments in my career, and it's not something I haven't experienced before.”
"I'm not saying that it's going to be hostile for me or not. I mean, I just expect, if I play a French player in Roland Garros, I would expect that most of the people would cheer the French player. It's nothing personal to me at all. But on the court when you're there, when certain things that happen that cross the line, I do understand the players who protect their space and their integrity.”
"You have hecklers. I don't think they are the majority. On the contrary, there are always a few people here and there sometimes that would cross the line,” he added. "It happened to me quite a few times actually in my career. And then sometimes I would just ignore, but you know, sometimes I would face them. That's it. Then we would be crossing each other back and forth."
Novak’s Symphony 🎶@DjokerNole #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/KoiejjvOeJ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 14, 2023
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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