Novak Djokovic became enraged with an umpire after losing to Luca Nardi in a shocking Indian Wells match.
The tennis men’s world No.1 believed 20-year-old lucky loser Nardi had stopped after serving with a 2-0 lead in the second set, despite his opponent continuing as usual after a brief pause.
Rather than continue, Djokovic threw his hands up and turned towards the umpire as the ball sailed past him. “He (Nardi) hit the ball and stopped,” he said.
Djokovic then approached the chairman to protest the point. The umpire informed him: “He reacted to the call, he did not make the call, and he did not truly stop the point. “Just because he stops doesn’t mean the point is over.”
He was having none of that argument, retorting, “Just because he stops doesn’t mean the purpose ceases. What exactly are you talking about?
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“He literally stopped” 🤯
A moment of contention during Novak Djokovic vs Luca Nardi…#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/AlVndqqBZM
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 12, 2024
Novak Djokovic speaks to the umpire.
Djokovic believed the umpire should have called a hindrance. (Image: Tennis TV.)
“You saw his reaction; he simply stopped, and that was it. He utterly baffled me, so I quit as well. How could you not make that judgment? Are you blagging me or what?
The perplexed umpire inquired, “Are you wanting me to call a hinderance, or?” To which Djokovic replied, “Of course because he stopped.” The person stopped, played the ball like this, and then stopped.”
Novak Djokovic of Serbia is frustrated.
Djokovic had a rough night overall, losing to Luca Nardi.
The back-and-forth continued as the umpire confirmed Djokovic’s assertion but claimed that it was not grounds for a hinderance, adding: “If he had came up yelling ‘out’ or pointing out or something along those lines, then sure, I would agree with you 100%. But he didn’t do anything to halt the point…”
At that point, a still irritated Djokovic went away in rage, and things didn’t improve for him in the third round match, despite tying it at one set apiece.
Italian prospect Nardi went on to win 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, calling it a “dream come true” after the match. Djokovic’s search for a title in 2024 continues, acknowledging it is “not something I’m used to”.
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