Nick Kyrgios sends 13-word warning to Wimbledon crowd after Novak Djokovic rant
Nick Kygrios made his stance clear on Novak Djokovic hitting back at the Wimbledon crowd.
Nick Kyrgios told the Wimbledon crowd that "if you don't want to see Novak win, keep as quiet as possible" after Djokovic ranted at those in attendance on Centre Court during his fourth-round victory over Holger Rune.
The Serbian star was far from impressed at what he claimed to be jeers from fans, which were disguised by chanting the surname of his Danish opponent, before turning to them in his on-court interview and hitting back by telling them to have a "gooooood night".
A common theory behind the lack of love that Djokovic feels at SW19 is because of the British crowd's will to root for an underdog, the view shared by BBC host Clare Balding who brought up the topic with Kyrgios.
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But Kyrgios' warning states that Djokovic does not need any added motivation and should fans be cheering for his opponent, riling up the seven-time champion would be a big mistake.
"I don't think he would have looked back on that match and nit-picked or anything like that," Kyrgios added on Djokovic, his new hitting partner at Wimbledon. "But at the same time I think that Novak looks for more motivation in those things, I have seen it many times, I have tried to do things like that but it just doesn't work.
"He will single (out) that one person to try and find that motivation and on that day it was just that. After that incident happened he started playing some of the best tennis we have seen."
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An angry Djokovic fumed on Centre Court shortly after his straight-sets victory over Rune, dispelling the narrative formed by Balding and co that fans were only trying to support his opponent.
“They were, they were (jeering him)," the 37-year-old explained. "I don’t accept it. I know they were cheering Rune, but it’s an excuse to boo. Listen, I’ve been on the tour 20 years, I know all the tricks, it’s fine, it’s OK. I focus on the respectful people, who pay for their ticket, come tonight and love tennis and appreciate the players and the effort the players that they put in.
“I played in a much more hostile environment, trust me, you guys can’t touch me. I’m feeling great on the court, take it day by day. I hit the practice courts tomorrow and analyse this match.”
Many were waiting with bated breath as to whether Djokovic would be booed again on Wednesday in his quarter-final with Alex De Minaur, only for the Aussie to pull out on the morning of their clash through injury.
Djokovic was handed a walkover to the semi-finals, where he will face either Lorenzo Musetti or Taylor Fritz, with both players aware they may well have the majority of support should they advance to the final four.
