Novak Djokovic hits out at Paris crowd after booing ‘I won’t play any more French players’

Serbian great Novak Djokovic has hit out at the crowd at Roland Garros, saying he hoped not to face any more locals after being booed throughout the match. (photo/IANS) Novak Djokovic has hit out at the crowd at Roland Garros, saying he hoped not to face any more French players after being booed during his match against France’s Valentin Royer.Djokovic extended his latest bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title with a hard-fought 6-3, 6-2, 6-7(9), 6-3 second-round victory over Royer. It was the second match in a row that the Serb had beaten the Frenchman after knocking out Giovanni Mpetshi Perricardo in the first round.At one point during the match, Djokovic accused the home crowd of a lack of respect and sarcastically applauded the crowd after he was booed and the referee called for calm. “Ladies and gentlemen, please have respect for both players,” said the referee. Djokovic immediately said: “They have no respect, no respect.”“I hope I won’t play any French players for the rest of the tournament,” the Serb said after the win.Djokovic dominated the opening two sets. The three-time Roland-Garros champion read Royer’s patterns and hit a series of laser-focused shots. But Royer refused to back down and the 24-year-old’s persistence was rewarded when he unleashed his curling forehand to level at 4-4 in the third set.Into the tie-break and Djokovic held the match point at 6-5. Again, Royer refused to capitulate, bringing bold strokes and nimble movement to keep the 24-time major winner on the back foot. A few points later and Djokovic’s backhand flew long, prompting a monumental roar from the Paris faithful as the clash continued.“I’m relieved. Obviously it’s a different feeling when you win a match. It’s a very important win in difficult conditions for both players. It was very hot and I think Valentin deserves a lot of credit for his performance today,” Djokovic said at the post-match press conference.

Do you think Novak Djokovic should have more respect for the spectators at Roland Garros?

“It was a very tough match, a challenge from the start. It’s normal for things to be difficult on the court in such conditions and atmosphere. I hope I don’t have to play another French player again until the end of the tournament!” he, who now holds an incredible record of 14-0 against French players at Roland Garros, added after the match.With the victory, the Serb reached a record 21st consecutive Roland-Garros third round. The 39-year-old also became the first man ever to play 120 matches in a single Grand Slam tournament, surpassing Roger Federer’s 119 matches at Wimbledon.The former world number one will next face Brazilian 28th seed Joao Fonseca, who produced a stunning comeback victory to overcome Croatia’s Dino Prizmic in straight sets to book his place in the third round.