Moment Novak Djokovic calls out ‘jerk’ in crowd and tells him to confront him on court in row during Australian Open

NOVAK DJOKOVIC took on a fan heckling him from the crowd during his second-round win at the Australian Open.

The Serb, 36, battled to a 6-3 4-6 7-6 (4) 6-3 win over home favourite Alexei Popyrin on Wednesday night.

Novak Djokovic told a member of the crowd to ‘Come and say that to my face’Reuters

Reuters

Djokovic claims the fan backed down once he acknowledged the heckling[/caption]

But with the pair locked together at 2-2 in the fourth set, Djokovic turned around before his service game and began talking to someone sat a few rows back.

Djokovic could be heard saying “Come and say that in my face,” before one of the commentators labelled the spectator a “jerk”.

He then focused back on the match and finished the job to book his spot in the third round.

And he was seen blowing the ball in the direction of the fan when he broke Popyrin two games later, to which commentator Nick Kygrios insisted: “You don’t want to poke the bear.”

The World No1, who then celebrated in front of the same section of the crowd after his win, was asked about the incident during his post-match interview win as Kyrgios listened in from the studio.

Djokovic said: “People made noise between first and second serves all night. Of course it annoys me but at the same time you have to accept it.

“What really frustrates me is the hecklers, so I confronted the heckler – Kygs [Kyrgios] did you like that exchange?

“I invited the guy to come and say it to my face, whatever he was saying, he was saying a lot of nice things.

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“He was apologising from far away, suddenly there was an absence of courage when he needed to face me.”

Kyrgios, who is known for his on-court altercations, replied: “When he was heckling, I said if you want me to jump into the crowd and sort him out I will. I’ve got your back bro 100 per cent.”

To which Djokovic added: “I’ll keep that in mind, thanks Kygs!”

Kyrgios, beaten by Djokovic in the 2022 Wimbledon final, also claimed he would “do WWE in the crowd”.

And Djokovic, who previously feuded with Kyrgios but now has a good relationship with the Aussie, called on the pair to “play doubles” together.

Ten-time Australian Open winner Djokovic is seeking a record-extending 25th Grand Slam.

He will face Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry for a place in the fourth round.

Etcheverry beat Djokovic’s old rival Andy Murray in the first round in Melbourne.

Kyrgios is part of the broadcasting team at the Australian Open but is not playingGetty