(VIDEO) "Sorry mate I have a wife": Novak Djokovic hilariously takes on drunk heckler at Australian Open
ATP
Novak Djokovic said he was hotheaded after he took down Tomas Machac at the 2025 Australian Open but instead of channeling it as negative energy, the 24-time Grand Slam champion used it to tackle a heckler.
In a hilarious moment, Djokovic responded to a heckler saying he has a wife and that they could maybe go for a drink though albeit that the person in question had already had quite a few.
After Tomas Machac, it is now Jiri Lehecka firmly in his sights next round after two contrasting opening Australian Open tests.
"I’m very hotheaded right now," Djokovic said. "I’m going to try and give a calm and diplomatic answer. I was trying to catch my breath [in the second set]. I’m not 19 anymore. I’m 19 times two, almost. You go through different stages in a match."
A heckler then blurted out which garnered a funny response from Djokovic. "Sorry, mate, I have a wife", he said. "We can have a drink, though," he hilariously added.
"Maybe you’ve had a few already. Him and I were going back and forth for quite a while, actually. I’m happy to have a drink with him now that the match is over.
"I think we can reflect nicely on what we’ve said to each other during the match."
Laura Robson for Eurosport wasn't shocked at the heckler moment as she said that it was happening throughout the match. "It was more than a few [people shouting in the crowd]," she said.
"It started as people calling balls out in the middle of the rally, or making noise. It was an issue for both players. Novak definitely had a few people in the front row down at the far end of the court who seemed to be peppering him a bit. It was hard to pick up what was said, but it definitely frustrated him a little. That’s fair to say."
Novak Djokovic after beating Machac at Australian Open
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 17, 2025
*someone yells from the crowd*
Novak: “Sorry mate. I have a wife. We can have a drink though 😂. Maybe you’ve had a few already.” 💀
pic.twitter.com/3GYl0C1gCl
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