Novak Djokovic rips into Cameron Norrie after Rome spat – ‘He brought the fire, and I responded’
Novak Djokovic has lashed out at Cameron Norrie for “not” playing fair during their heated Italian Open clash on Tuesday.
Defending champion Djokovic booked his place in quarter-final of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over the 13th seed, but it was a feisty affair at Foro Italico.
Already upset with Norrie’s antics – including shouting “C’mon” several times during the match – the 22-time Grand Slam winner’s frustrations boiled over during a rally in the second set.
After giving up on a point, Djokovic turned his back and started walking back to the baseline, but Norrie then smashed the ball into his ankle.
The British No 1 had clearly kept his eye on the ball and wasn’t aware of his opponent’s position when he made contact with the ball. He also apologised immediately, but Djokovic was furious although he didn’t get drawn into a war of words and focused on the remainder match.
READ MORE: WATCH: Novak Djokovic furious after Cameron Norrie smashes ball into him
The top seed eventually got the crucial break a few games later and came out to serve for the match, but there was one last act from Norrie as he took a medical timeout.
Djokovic eventually wrapped up the match, but the handshake was quite frosty and he didn’t hold back in his criticism of Norrie during the post-match press conference.
“I did watch the reply when he hit me. Yeah, maybe you could say he didn’t hit me deliberately. I don’t know if he saw me,” he said.
“I mean peripherally [sic] you could always see where the player is positioned on the court. The ball was super slow and super close to the net. I just turned around because the point was over for me.
“It was not so much maybe about that, but it was maybe a combination of things. From the beginning, I don’t know, he was doing all the things that were allowed. He’s allowed to take a medical timeout. He’s allowed to hit a player. He’s allowed to say ‘c’mon’ in the face more or less every single point from basically the first game.
“Those are the things that we [as] players know in the locker room know is not fair play, it’s not how we treat each other. But again, it’s allowed, so…
“I get along with Cameron really well all these years that he’s been on Tour. Practiced with each other. He’s very nice off the court, so I don’t understand this kind of attitude on the court, to be honest.
“But it is what it is. He brought the fire, and I responded to that. I’m not going to allow someone behaving like this just bending my head. I’m going to respond to that.
“That is all. What happens on the court we leave on the court, and we move on.”
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner makes revealing comment on his eyesight after Miami Open win
Jannik Sinner opened up on his use of contact lenses on court.
-
Tennis News
Martina Navratilova serves up a desperate verdict on Andy Murray’s comeback hopes
Andy Murray is likely to have to wait several days to learn how long he will be sidelined for by the ankle injury he suffered in Miami.
-
Tennis News
Jannik Sinner reveals he has been having Call of Duty sessions with Italian football hero
Jannik Sinner has had some high-profile gaming clashes with Italy’s No 1 goalkeeper.
-
Tennis News
Former British No 1 offers up a theory to explain Novak Djokovic’s shock announcement
Has Novak Djokovic lined up a new coach following his decision to part ways with Goran Ivanisevic?
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic’s bombshell announcement fuels growing doubts over his tennis future
Speculation swirling over Novak Djokovic’s long-term future in tennis after his shock move.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic’s final moments of dominance were hard to spot – can he reclaim his crown?
Novak Djokovic’s reign as the king of men’s tennis appeared to be set to run and run – but the mood has changed.
-
WTA Tour
Victoria Azarenka used ‘parenting techniques’ to cope with Miami Open technical meltdown
Victoria Azarenka’s latest match was held up as the line-calling technology broke down – and she was not impressed.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz makes Jannik Sinner confession during Rafael Nadal-Roger Federer rivalry comparison
“I hope it will allow me to get the best out of myself … seeing the standard he sets.”
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic 3.0: Tennis great’s latest re-invention already underway with ruthless coaching move
The innovation doesn’t stop with Novak Djokovic.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic announces shock departure of long-term coach – ‘Thanks for everything my friend’
Did anyone see that Novak Djokovic coaching bombshell coming?