Novak Djokovic denies temper problem after hitting ball into crowd at ATP World Tour Finals
Monday 14 November 2016 09:16, UK
Novak Djokovic denied he has a temper problem after firing a ball into the crowd during his victory over Dominic Thiem at the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
The world No 2 received a warning for hitting a ball in the direction of coaches Boris Becker and Marian Vajda, who were sitting in the stands, after losing the first set in a tie break 12-10.
The ball flew past Becker and Vajda and only narrowly missed a spectator.
It followed a similar incident at this year's French Open, when he threw his racket and almost hit a line judge during his quarter-final win over Tomas Berdych.
Djokovic went on to beat Thiem 6-7 (10-12) 6-0 6-2, but when questioned about the incident in his post-match press conference, he replied: "I keep doing these things? Why don't [I] get suspended, then?
"I'm close? I'm still not suspended, so if I'm not close, I'm not close. It could have been [serious], yes. It could have snowed in O2 arena, as well, but it didn't.
"I'm the only player that shows his frustration on the court? That's what you are saying? It is not an issue for me. It's not the first time I did it."
Sky Sports analyst Annabel Croft was courtside at the end of the first set and admitted she had been taken aback by Djokovic's actions.
She said: "I'm just shocked at what he just did. He slammed a ball right towards Boris Becker and Marian Vajda.
"The ball just skimmed past them and into the crowd. That just tells you the bubbling anger inside him. Novak is absolutely steaming right now."
Djokovic and Thiem were closely matched in the opening set, but the defending champion upped his game in the second and third sets and ran out a comfortable winner.
He added: "I knew after that the first opening couple games of the second set would be crucial for me to start with a break up, which I did. I felt more comfortable. I started swinging more freely in the second set. I made him play an extra shot. He started making more errors, which I used.
"I was on top of his second serves, putting a lot of pressure. I thought I played very well in the second set especially, but the third as well."
Watch every day of the ATP World Tour Finals, from November 13-20, live on Sky Sports. Full schedule here.
