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Novak Djokovic wasn’t making too many friends in Flushing Meadows on Tuesday.
During his quarterfinal match at the U.S. Open, the Serbian star was visibly frustrated with the noise coming from the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium while he was attempting to serve in the third set of his 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 triumph over Taylor Fritz.
During the fourth game of the third set, Djokovic faulted while trying to serve with the game sitting at 40-40.
Feeling agitated, Djokovic turned to chair umpire Damien Dumusois, requesting action to control the crowd’s noise. His appeals, however, seemed to provoke more boos as he raised his voice at the umpire.
“What are you going to do?” Djokovic asked frustratedly. “What are you saying? ‘Thank you. Please. Thank you. Please.’”
“Explain a little bit more,” he continued.
“I just made [an announcement] when both players are ready, stop shouting,” Dumusois retorted to Djokovic.
The answer didn’t appear to satisfy Djokovic, and Dumusois had one final message to him as he walked away.
“It’s not gonna help, Novak,” Dumosois said.
Fritz rode the momentum to take the third set and force a fourth set in the epic match, but the American fell short.
Djokovic was also spotted blowing kisses at the crowd after he had taken the second set.
By the end of the match, the audience’s attitude towards Djokovic softened. They cheered for his tenacious victory, especially after he dedicated his win to his daughter, Tara, in celebration of her birthday.
“This is a big present for her,” he told the crowd as he made a heart with his hands to the delight of the fans.
Djokovic advances to face Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals on Friday at Arthur Ashe Stadium.