Serb simply runs away from the referee
WC excitement at Djokovic’s Australian Open return
Novak Djokovic celebrates an unchallenged opening victory on his return to the Australian Open. But the Serb caused a stir next to the pitch.
Published: 9 minutes ago
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Updated: 8 minutes ago
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Novak Djokovic has no trouble returning to the Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic (35, ATP 6) didn’t cause a stir at the Australian Open a year ago, but caused a stir off the pitch. At the time, the Serb traveled to Australia without proof of corona vaccination. After much back and forth, the nine-time tournament winner was finally denied participation and expelled. He didn’t make a particularly good impression on tennis fans.
Now the 35-year-old has returned to Melbourne. The public seems to have forgiven him for the antics of 2022. The Serb was greeted with thunderous applause and a standing ovation as he entered the arena.
Went on toilet break without permission
In his opening game, the current number six in the world meets the Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena (29, ATP 75) and causes excitement right at the beginning of the game. After five games played, the Serb wants to take a toilet break. He asks the referee several times.
After a short time he makes his own way to the catacombs. But he didn’t get permission for that. The referee calls him back and an employee tries to stop Djokovic, but he is faster and disappears in the tunnel.
Crack in the last sentence: Fan tennis ball causes a moment of shock(00:57)
Clear victory at the start
The referee doesn’t like it at all and threatens Djokovic to continue the game without him if he isn’t back on the pitch in the next 30 seconds. But that doesn’t seem to bother him much. He takes his time on the way back, takes another sip of water and finally returns to the court.
The Serb’s action has no consequences. With 6: 3, 6: 4, 6: 0 Djokovic finally moves into the next round at high speed. There he meets the winner of the match between the Bolivian Hugo Dellien (29, ATP 131) and the French Enzo Couacaud (27, ATP 191). (mab)