"You guys can’t touch me" - Novak Djokovic slams booing crowd for 'disrespecting' him during Wimbledon 4R win, sarcastically wishes them 'good night'

Novak Djokovic expressed his disappointment with the crowd's behavior during his fourth-round match at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships and criticized them for booing and being disrespectful. The Serbian player sarcastically bid those who had booed him a "good night" after securing the win.

Djokovic is seeded second at this year's grasscourt Major and he began his campaign by defeating qualifier Vit Kopriva 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 in the first round and then went onto triumph over wildcard Jacob Fearnley 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 in the second round. The Serb then overcame Alexei Popyrin 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3) in the third round.

Most recently, the seven-time Wimbledon champion secured his place in the quarterfinals by defeating 15th seed Holger Rune 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and three minutes at the Centre Court in the fourth round.

This win was the former World No.1's 15th appearance in the quarterfinals at SW19, placing him second on the all-time list behind Roger Federer who has reached the same stage 18 times.

During his match against Holger Rune, after Djokovic had won the second set, he was booed by the crowd. However, the Serb remained unfazed and responded by mocking the audience.

During the post-match on-court interview, the 24-time Grand Slam champion thanked the 'respectful' fans for their support and sarcastically bid "good night" to those who chose to boo him.

“To all the fans that have had respect and stayed here tonight, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I appreciate it. And to all those people that have chosen to disrespect the player – in this case me – have a goooood night. Goooood night, goooood night. A very good night,” he said.

British presenter Rishi Persad suggested that the crowd may have been cheering for Holger Rune.

“I am hoping that they were just commenting on Rune, and they were not disrespecting you,” Persad said.

In response, Djokovic disagreed and stated that he recognized the boos directed at him. He said that, with over 20 years of experience on the tour he is familiar with the various tactics crowds use to disrespect him.

“They were. They were. I don't accept it. No, no, no. I know they were cheering for [Holger] Rune but that’s an excuse to also boo. Listen, I have been on the tour for more than 20 years. So trust me, I know all the tricks, I know how it works, it's fine, it's fine, it's okay,” Djokovic said.

The Serb stated that while playing the match, to tune out the booing, he focused on the respectful crowd who appreciates the players' efforts. He also mentioned that he has played in much more "hostile environments" than the one at Wimbledon, so the booing did not affect him.

“I focus on the respectful people, they have respect, they pay the ticket and come and watch tonight and love tennis and appreciate the players and the efforts the players put in here. I played in much more hostile environments, trust me – you guys can’t touch me,” he added.

Prior to facing the jeering crowd at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, Novak Djokovic had encountered similar behavior from the crowd during his third-round match against Lorenzo Musetti at the 2024 Monte-Carlo Masters.

Novak Djokovic will face Alex de Minaur in Wimbledon 2024 QF

Novak Djokovic & Alex de Minaur

Novak Djokovic will take on ninth seed Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships.

De Minaur kicked off his campaign at the grasscourt Major by defeating lucky loser and compatriot James Duckworth 7-6(1), 7-6(3), 7-6(4) in the first round and then overcame Jaume Munar 6-2, 6-2, 7-5 in the second round. The World No.9 advanced to the fourth round after his third-round opponent, Lucas Pouille, withdrew from their match due to injuring his abdominal muscles.

De Minaur then overcame Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in the fourth round to secure his place in the quarterfinals.

Novak Djokovic and Alex de Minaur have faced each other three times on the ATP Tour, with the Serb emerging victorious in two of those encounters. Their most recent match-up was in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Monte-Carlo Masters, where the former World No.1 claimed a 7-5, 6-4 victory.