Why Novak Djokovic demanded umpire to take action against US Open crowd during victory over Taylor Fritz - 'What are you going to do?'
Updated 03/09/2025 at 13:15 GMT+1
Novak Djokovic was always going to be the villain of Arthur Ashe Stadium when he took on home hopeful Taylor Fritz in the US Open quarter-finals, but the 24-time Grand Slam champion did not help his case when he fumed to umpire Damien Dumusois and demanded he take action against the crowd. The Serbian sealed victory in four sets over Fritz, setting up a semi-final with world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz.
Highlights: Djokovic overcomes Fritz to book semi-final place
Video credit: SNTV
Novak Djokovic was the subject of stadium-wide boos when he took umbrage with the US Open crowd during his quarter-final victory over Taylor Fritz.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion was facing the unenviable task of competing against a home favourite on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
That Fritz was the only remaining American in the men's singles draw at Flushing Meadows only stoked more fire under the partisan crowd.
Djokovic stormed into a two-set lead in the quarter-final, but allowed the spectators some hope when he fell into a turgid third set, one he lamented in his post-match press conference, saying: "I honestly wasn't, for my standards, I wasn't playing well."
That, alongside the jeers which accompanied every one of his mistakes, seemed to become too much for the 38-year-old.
At deuce in the fourth game, Djokovic's double fault was greeted by prolonged cheers from the Arthur Ashe crowd.
He gave a disapproving look around the stands, before heading back to the baseline, when continued noise prompted him to engage in some fierce words with chair umpire Damien Dumusois.
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Novak Djokovic of Serbia discusses a call with the chair umpire during US Open quarter-final against Taylor Fritz
Image credit: Getty Images
In their exchange, the four-time US Open champion wanted Dumusois to exert greater control over crowd noise on his serve.
"What are you going to do?" Djokovic remonstrated. "What are you going to do?" What do you say? Thank you, please. Thank you, please. Just explain a little bit more."
Dumusois, though, was not entertaining Djokovic's complaints. He felt he was controlling the crowd to a satisfactory level, and assertively told the Serbian he would quieten the crowd "when both players are ready".
"It's not going to help you, Novak," Dumusois said, as a frustrated Djokovic took back to the baseline, amid widespread booing on the showcase court of Flushing Meadows.
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Djokovic's serve was broken just moments later - the only break of the third set as Fritz pulled himself back into contention.
However, Djokovic regathered his composure to rattle off the fourth set and ensure his spot in the semi-finals, where he will face Carlos Alcaraz.
All was seemingly forgiven, though, when Djokovic took to the microphone for his on-court interview after the win.
He was given a good ovation by the crowd, as he gave mention to his daughter's birthday, and his celebratory dance which was dedicated to her.
In beating Fritz, Djokovic extended his remarkable record over the world No. 4, having beaten him in each of their 11 meetings.
Per the US Open, he also made it 16-0 against Americans at the New York major, an impressive feat in the face of a crowd that is known to rally in support of its home players.
Djokovic's 53rd Grand Slam semi-final will come against Alcaraz, having beaten the world No. 2 in both of their last two meetings.
The pair, who have never met at Flushing Meadows, last went head-to-head at the Australian Open in January, when Djokovic stunned Alcaraz in the quarter-final, a match which took such a toll on the Serbian that he had to withdraw from his subsequent semi-final against Alexander Zverev.
Djokovic also beat Alcaraz in an emotional Olympic Games final in Paris last summer as he finally clinched the Golden Slam.
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