Novak Djokovic clashes with umpire and coaching box as he sets up Carlos Alcaraz gold medal clash
Novak Djokovic sealed a date with Carlos Alcaraz and his Olympic destiny on Friday night – but it wasn’t smooth sailing as the scoreline may make it seem.
The 24-time major champion defeated 11th seed Lorenzo Musetti of Italy 6-4, 6-2 to reach the final, rallying from minor deficits in both sets – and shutting down any concern surrounding his knee heading in.
However, the tension was obvious, with the 37-year-old clashing with the umpire Jaume Campistol and his player box early in the second set.
Serving at 1-1 in set two, Djokovic received a second time violation – and therefore a loss of first serve – and was then handed a code violation after appearing to say something to Campistol.
After that break of serve, he turned his attention towards his player box, notably shouting at them.
The rant was in Serbian, though it is though Djokovic said: “What are you doing? What are you doing? Where are you looking?”
In true Djokovic fashion, the world No 2 proceeded to break straight back, with Musetti again unable to build on the advantage he had earned.
And the 24-time Grand Slam champion faced little trouble after that, easing to a straight-set victory – much like he did when he and Musetti met in the Wimbledon semi-final last month.
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Victory means that the 37-year-old is in his first-ever Olympic final in his fifth Games, and will have the opportunity to grab the gold medal that has so long eluded him.
It was his fourth singles semi-final at the Olympics but he had been 0-3 in his previous contests, ultimately finishing third at Beijing 2008 – but losing the bronze medal playoff in London and Tokyo.
Djokovic is guaranteed an improved Olympic result, with a silver medal ensured as the minimum, though he will likely enter the final against Alcaraz as the underdog.
The Spaniard has been in sublime form so far in Paris, not dropping a set on his way to the final, and has already won Wimbledon and the French Open this summer.
Few can forget the emphatic manner in which he beat Djokovic to claim the SW19 title less than a month ago and he may hold an advantage if the top seed is struggling physically.
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