Djokovic lashes out during French Open clash and makes furious demand | Tennis | Sport

Novak Djokovic has reacted furiously to the camera crew during his third round French Open clash against Joao Fonseca on Friday afternoon. The Serb had just won the second set to lead his Brazilian opponent 6-4 6-4 before he displayed his anger.

Speaking to the cameraperson as he approached the sit-down, the 39-year-old said: “Please can you come more into my face? For God’s sake, make some space.”

Djokovic‘s complaints appeared to result in the cameraperson being removed from Court Philippe Chatrier, according to commentator Nick Millins. Speaking on TNT Sports, he said: “I’ve just been spending some time watching the poor old cameraman who got it in the face from Novak after he got it in the face lense-wise.

“Cedric Mourier, one of the assistant referees, just came out to make the point to the courtside cameraman that ‘you can get close but you can only get that close’.

“That cameraman has now been substituted, there is a new cameraman there.”

Djokovic is chasing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title this fortnight. And his hopes of a fourth French Open crown have been greatly boosted by the shock exit of world No.1 Jannik Sinner on Thursday.

Sinner blew a two-set and 5-1 lead in the third to crash out to world No.56 Juan Manuel Cerundolo after struggling physically.

It means former world No.1 Djokovic is the only remaining Grand Slam winner left in the draw at this year’s Roland Garros. Victory in Paris would make him the oldest man to win a slam in the open era.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion has not won a major since the 2023 US Open. But he came close to ending that in Australia in February after beating Sinner in the semi-finals before losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the final.

Djokovic believes he has “a very good chance” to compete for Grand Slam glory in Paris a week on Sunday.

Speaking at a pre-tournament press conference, he said:” I am not really thinking about if I have better chances or not with Carlos [Alcaraz] being here or not being here, because I feel that if I’m healthy and I’m able to maintain that level of freshness throughout the tournament… then I feel like I always have a very good chance.

“I have proven that in Australia this year where I was close to winning another slam. I always have that belief in myself when I’m on the court.”