(VIDEO) "Get vaccinated mate": Novak Djokovic gets heckled on match point at Australian Open....responds with an ace

Don't poke the bear is often the phrase attributed to Novak Djokovic and his relationship with crowd hecklers as he saw off Tomas Martin Etcheverry with ease on Friday morning with one fan deciding to bring up Djokovic's vaccination status, but didn't get the response they were hoping for.

Djokovic steadied himself to serve for match point in which one Aussie fan shouted 'get vaccinated mate' which was a nod towards Djokovic's COVID-19 stance which saw him deported from Australia in 2022 as he failed to get an exemption in one of the biggest sagas in tennis in recent years. He was welcomed back in during 2023 and won the tournament bringing this battle full circle.

But it seems like some have not forgotten. Djokovic though on the other hand lets his racquet do the talking and he did in this case thumping down an ace to seal the win against Etcheverry. Next up will be Adrian Mannarino on Sunday in Djokovic's first day session in 1073 days since 2021 when he faced Frances Tiafoe.

Watch the video below.