Novak Djokovic has hit out at Cameron Norrie after the Brit hit a game-winning smash that struck the Serbian within the calf throughout their last-16 match on the Italian Open on Tuesday. It began with Norrie`s relentless `come on` and fist-pumps after each profitable level which clearly bothered Djokovic.
That irritation escalated early within the second set when Norrie, who was down a set and a break, hit the Serb within the leg with an overhead smash, after Djokovic had turned his again and basically conceded some extent. The Serb appeared displeased with the smash and gave Norrie an extended glare in response because the Brit raised his hand in apology.
Speaking in regards to the incident through the post-match press convention, Djokovic accused Norrie of utilizing ways that weren’t in accordance with “fair play.”
“I did watch the replay when he hit me. Maybe you could say he didn`t hit me deliberately. I don`t know if he saw me. Peripherally you can always see where the player is positioned on the court. The ball was super slow and super close to the net. I just turned around because the point was over for me,” the 35-year-old was quoted as saying by Eurosport.
There had been additionally different situations of unhealthy sportsmanship from Norrie as he requested for the coach, and took a medical time-out, simply as Djokovic was about to serve for the match.
“From the very starting, I don`t know, he was doing all of the issues that had been allowed. He`s allowed to take a medical timeout. He`s allowed to hit a participant. He`s allowed to say `c`mon` within the face kind of each single level from mainly the primary recreation.
“Those are the things that we players know in the locker room. It`s not fair play, it`s not how we treat each other. But, again, it`s allowed, so?”
Djokovic additional stated that he was not pleased with the best way the Brit performed himself on the courtroom.
“He brought the fire, and I responded to that. I`m not going to allow someone behaving like this just bending my head. I`m going to respond to that. That`s all it is. What happens on the court, we leave it on the court, and we move on,” he added.
Despite all of the drama, Djokovic has his eyes on a much bigger prize as he progressed to the Italian Open quarterfinals for the seventeenth 12 months in a row with a 6-3 6-4 win over the British No. 1 as he chases his seventh title in Rome.
