Novak Djokovic Loses Temper At US Open After Fans Cheer Faults, Confronts Umpire | Watch

Novak Djokovic secured his US Open 2025 men's singles semifinal spot with a gritty 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 victory against America's Taylor Fritz. Not only did it secure him his 53rd Grand Slam semifinals appearance but also ensured he continued his flawless 11-0 record against Fritz.

But the match was tainted by contentious exchanges between the Serb and the crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium, which frequently interrupted play with boos and applause at inopportune moments.

Clash With The Chair Umpire

The tension reached a boiling point in the third set when Djokovic openly clashed with the chair umpire over his inability to keep the rowdy crowd under control.

While in a trending social media video, Djokovic was heard muttering, "What are you gonna do?" after registering his complaints about the constant din during his service games. He got angrier when supporters made loud noises on his service errors a behavior deemed rude in tennis.

The umpire's retort of, "It's not gonna help, Novak," didn't quite break the ice, infuriating Djokovic further.

Fritz Takes Advantage Briefly

The interruptions appeared to disrupt Djokovic's rhythm, and Fritz broke serve to take a 3-1 advantage in the third set. Supported by a vocal home crowd willing the last American remaining in the tournament to advance, Fritz seized the opportunity to take the set.

But Djokovic did demonstrate his signature resilience. Clamping down on his fourth set, he cut unforced errors and strengthened his serve to take charge. Fritz subsequently acknowledged, "He served better. He made a lot fewer mistakes. He played better in the fourth."

A Love-Hate Relationship With Crowds

Djokovic's uneasy relationship with the public has been a constant throughout his career. Even as one of the most award-winning players in the history of the sport, he has frequently encountered hostility, especially during matches against local favorites.

At Arthur Ashe Stadium, some fans openly supported Fritz and others jeered Djokovic's errors. However, there were also quite a few fans rooting for the 24-time Grand Slam winner. In a defiant move after winning, Djokovic blew flying kisses to the crowd a quiet reminder that he works best under duress, even when the crowd is against him.

Record-Breaking Run Continues

In this win, Djokovic not only stretched his dominance over Fritz but also equaled the record of most US Open semifinals (14). He is still in the running for another Grand Slam title, solidifying his reputation as one of all-time greats.

While Djokovic moves into the semifinals, the question is whether the crowd element will persist in his cause. Famous for gaining energy from both adoration and hostility, the Serb will once more find himself in the limelight when he returns to Arthur Ashe Stadium in search of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.

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