Novak Djokovic raged at an umpire after freezing on the spot in a shock Indian Wells defeat to Luca Nardi.
The tennis males’s world No.1 felt 20-year-old fortunate loser Nardi had stopped after he’d served whereas 2-0 up within the second set, regardless of his opponent carrying on as regular after a quick pause.
Rather than persevering with himself, Djokovic threw his palms out and turned in direction of the umpire because the ball flew previous him. “He (Nardi) hit the ball and he stopped,” he insisted.
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Djokovic then approached the chair to dispute the purpose. The umpire informed him: “He reacted to the call, he didn’t make the call, he didn’t actually stop the point. Just because he stops, doesn’t mean the point stops.”
He was having none of that clarification although, hitting again: “Just because he stops doesn’t mean the point stops? What are you talking about?
Do you agree or disagree with Djokovic? Let us know in the feedback part.
(Image: Tennis TV)
“You saw the reaction, he literally stopped and that’s it. He confused me completely and I stopped as well. How can you not make that judgement? Are you blagging me or what?”
The confused umpire requested: “Are you wanting me to call a hinderance, or?” To which Djokovic answered: “Of course because he stopped. The guy stopped and played the ball like this and stopped.”
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
The back-and-forth continued because the umpire acknowledged Djokovic’s declare however argued it wasn’t grounds for a hinderance, including: “If he would’ve come up saying ‘out’ or pointing out or something along those lines, then yes, I would agree with you 100%. But since he didn’t do anything to actually stop the point…”
It was at that time a nonetheless disgruntled Djokovic walked away in anger – and it did not get any higher for him within the third spherical contest, regardless of making it a set apiece.
Italian prospect Nardi went on to say a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory, labelling it a “dream come true” post-match. Djokovic’s anticipate a title in 2024 goes on, admitting it is “not something I’m used to”.