Novak Djokovic apologises to Annabel Croft in awkward Wimbledon interview | Tennis | Sport

Novak Djokovic felt the need to apologise to interviewer Annabel Croft when speaking to the BBC pundit on Centre Court. Djokovic had just beaten Roman Safiullin in four sets to march into the quarter-finals at Wimbledon. However, the match was not without its drama, with the Serb warned over his language after a tough moment at the start of the fourth set. “And the outbursts as well… The outbursts, you know, the meltdowns. I had a few of those today as well. I apologise,” the 39-year-old told Croft after she asked him if his mind ever wanders on court.

He then turned to the former British No. 1 and asked if she empathised as someone who played professionally herself, though there was a moment of awkward laughter as Croft initially didn’t appear to understand what he was asking her. “You played back in the days, you remember. Our mind wanders all the time [and it’s] very hard to keep it in the present moment. Whoever does that is a winner,” Djokovic put to the British tennis icon.

“Another hard-fought win,” Djokovic said when reflecting on his four-set victory. “Roman started very well, very aggressive, I didn’t feel maybe so comfortable from the back of the court, I knew it was going to be a challenge staying in the rally with him.

“Just a very solid player. I respect him a lot. I’ve played him on different surfaces, never on grass though. He has had some great wins this week and I wish him luck for the rest of the season. He should be proud of the performance he had today.”

On his own game, he added: “I don’t get to feel inferior from the back of the court with too many players throughout my career. Today it was one of those days when I didn’t want to stay in the rally for too long.

“So I had to mix things up and it worked. At some moments it worked and some it didn’t but in the end I found the accuracy and precision with the first serve that really got me out of trouble in the fourth.”

“Survive to thrive, that’s how I feel” was Djokovic’s response when asked by Croft about his run at SW19 this year. “So hopefully the thriving part is coming.”