Novak Djokovic is booed by fans for surprising post-match act as he reaches the Australian Open quarter-finals for the 15th time in his career

A smattering of boos rang out around the Rod Laver Arena on Sunday afternoon, after Novak Djokovic appeared to snub a post-match interview following his straight-sets victory against Jiri Lehecka.

During the tournament, players will normally stay on the court to conduct a post-match interview with broadcasters and reflect on the match.

But tonight, the 24-time Grand Slam winner grabbed the microphone and gave a brief thanks to fans inside the stadium, before marching over to the tunnel.

Djokovic, who had claimed a 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) victory against Lehecka, did however stay to sign a few autographs with members of the crowd for a brief period, before making his way down the tunnel.

‘Thank you very much for being here tonight,’ he said over the microphone. 

‘I appreciate your presence and the support and I’ll see you next round. Thank you very much,’ he added, before making a beeline for the tunnel. 

It is not entirely clear what sparked the moment from the 10-time Australian Open champion, it comes after he was mocked by Channel 9 broadcaster Tony Jones during a television segment. 

Jones was reporting from Melbourne Park ahead of Djokovic’s third-round clash against Tomas Machac, where he commented on a large crowd behind him who were chanting the for the world No 7. 

Jones then began his broadcast, stating: ‘Welcome back to Melbourne Park where you can see the Novak Djokovic fans in full voice … the chants are quite extraordinary. 

He then turned to the crowd and was heard saying: ‘Novak is overrated … Novak’s a has-been … Novak kick him out,’ he said while looking back on the enthusiastic crowd.

‘I am glad that they can’t hear me.’

He was later seen backstage talking to tournament director Craig Tiley and cut a frustrated figure, waving his hands as he spoke.  

At times during the match 37-year-old appeared to become incensed by sections of the audience who had shouted and attempted to throw Djokovic off his game.

Some had also called out while he was serving, with the Serbian seen sighing before shaking his head.

During one point of the match, Djokovic was attempting to save service when one fan called out, angering the Serbian. He protested to the chair umpire, Mohamed Lahyani, over the interruption, but the official waved him away. 

‘I don’t think someone did it on purpose,’ he said.

Speaking to Eurosport after the match, Djokovic appeared to shed some light on the surprising moment. 

‘We all try to handle it in our own specific way. Sometimes I do it better and sometimes I kind of work against myself,’ he said. 

‘Only people who have been there at the highest level know what you need to deal with. 

‘You need to weather the storm when you feel challenged. When I faced adversity the last few matches, I think I have handled it well. It’s a good signal for the next one.’ 

Eurosport pundit Laura Robson lifted the lid on some of the heckling that Djokovic had received during the match, stating that some had been ‘peppering him’.  

‘It started as people calling balls out in the middle of the rally or making noise,’ she said. 

‘And it was an issue for both players. But Novak definitely had a few people in the front row down this far end of the court.

‘Got this far end of the court, to my left, who seemed to be peppering him a little bit and it was hard to pick up what was being said, but it certainly frustrated him a little. I think that’s fair to say. But there was a lot going on anyway.’

The moment also left some in the commentary box taken back.  

‘Maybe we’ll learn more about it in the press conference afterwards but he just didn’t feel like having a chat,’ Jim Courier told Eurosport. ‘I had no idea that was going to happen but there is no obligation for these players to do that.

‘It’s an opportunity for them to talk to people in the stadium and the fans around the world. But a player can opt out. Sometimes if they’re injured or cramping, they can opt out. I don’t think it was that but hopefully we will get more colour on it.’

Matts Wilander believed that members of the audience had tried to get under Djokovic’s skin on purpose.

‘I think spectators are trying to disturb player like Novak because he’s won too much and they want to see a longer match,’ he added. 

Despite the heckling, Djokovic went on to secure a spot in the quarter-finals for the 15th time in his career.

The result saw him set up a mouthwatering clash against Carlos Alcaraz, who also advanced earlier this afternoon after British star Jack Draper pulled out of their fourth-round clash with a hip injury.

More to follow…