‘Say that to my face!’ – Angry Novak Djokovic in heated argument with fan during Australian Open match

Novak Djokovic was left angered by a jeering spectator in the crowd (Picture: Getty)

Novak Djokovic was locked in a heated argument with a spectator during his Australian Open match against Alexei Popyrin on Wednesday.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion took on the Australian home favourite in front of a packed crowd on Rod Laver Arena, eventually winning 6-3 4-6 7-6 6-3.

Djokovic took the first set but then lost the second in dramatic fashion, with the Serbian having now already lost more sets at this year’s tournament than in his entire run to the title in 2023 after his opening win over Dino Prizmic.

It looked like it was going to get even worse for the world No.1 in the third but he managed to save four set points before regaining his lead via a tie-break.

It then got heated in the fifth game of the fourth set as Djokovic got involved in a confrontation with a particular fan.

BBC commentator David Law, watching the match for Radio 5 Sports Extra, said: ‘Djokovic is having an argument with someone in the crowd here.

‘He’s saying to them, ‘Come on, come to the court and say that to my face’ – I think.

Novak Djokovic won over four sets to book his spot in the third round (Picture: Getty)

‘It’s somebody in about the 10th row. Djokovic is giving him a piece of his mind.

‘The umpire is saying, ‘Novak, don’t do that’ – I think the crowd are booing whoever it was giving him a hard time.

‘But Djokovic was standing up to him and it gives a bit of insight into his frame of mind right now.’

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Later in the match, Law added: ‘[Djokovic is] eyeballing in the direction at whoever it was he had an argument with about 10 minutes ago.

‘This is Novak Djokovic. He is happy to take us all on.’

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios, watching the match for Eurosport, said: ‘There’s always some jerk in the crowd. He’s got extra motivation now. You don’t want to poke the bear.’

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