UPDATE: Novak Djokovic faced intense crowd backlash during his quarter-final match against Taylor Fritz at the US Open, but emerged victorious with a score of 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 early this morning, September 6, 2023. This hard-fought triumph marks Djokovic’s record-extending 53rd major semi-final, continuing his remarkable run in the tournament.
Tensions flared when Djokovic, visibly upset with rowdy fans, confronted chair umpire Damien Dumusois mid-match, demanding action against the disruptive crowd. “Are you going to say something?” he asked the umpire as boos echoed from the stands, highlighting the electric atmosphere of New York’s tennis arena.
The match, lasting over three hours and 24 minutes, saw Djokovic struggling with his serve as fans reacted negatively to his performance, even cheering his double faults. Despite the challenges, the 24-time Grand Slam champion celebrated his win around 11:36 PM local time with an exuberant gesture mimicking drinking tea, delighting fans with a dance inspired by a K-Pop song his daughter enjoys.
Fritz, the last American man in the tournament, capitalized on Djokovic’s momentary lapses, winning the third set but ultimately succumbing to Djokovic’s experience in the fourth. The match concluded with Fritz’s fifth double fault, an unfortunate end to a fierce contest that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Hollywood stars including Elizabeth Banks and Ben Stiller were among those in attendance, hoping for a gripping showdown. Fans who paid up to $10,000 for courtside seats were eager for a five-set thriller, yet Djokovic’s resilience secured a swift end to the match.
Post-match, Djokovic reflected on the intense competition, stating, “I don’t know how I won that. It was an incredibly close match.” He acknowledged the challenge posed by Fritz and praised his opponent’s performance, adding, “He didn’t deserve that.”
Looking ahead, Djokovic is set to face Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals on September 8, 2023. The 38-year-old Serbian noted the significance of the win, dedicating it as a “big present” for his daughter Tara, who celebrated her eighth birthday. As Djokovic prepares for this crucial matchup, he remains focused on capturing his 25th Grand Slam title.
As the US Open progresses, all eyes will be on Djokovic as he navigates this high-stakes tournament amidst the vibrant chaos of New York City. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
