Djokovic Clashes with Crowd, Triumphs Over Fritz to Reach US Open Semis
In a highly charged quarterfinal match at the US Open, Novak Djokovic emerged victorious over Taylor Fritz in four hard-fought sets (6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4), extending his perfect record against the American to 11–0 and booking a spot in his 53rd Grand Slam semifinal.
Crowd Chaos and Mid-Match Confrontation
The match took a heated turn during the third set when Djokovic, visibly frustrated by the raucous crowd jeering his unforced errors and double faults, approached chair umpire Damien Dumusois. He implored for better crowd control, asking pointedly:
“What are you going to do? Just ‘thank you, please’?”
The umpire replied coolly: “I just said when both players are ready, stop shouting. … It’s not going to help, Novak.”
Djokovic’s agitation briefly shifted momentum—Fritz seized the third set amid the tension—but the Serbian reclaimed composure to close out the match in the fourth set.
Celebration on the Court
After clinching the win in a grueling three-hour and 24-minute contest, Djokovic delighted the crowd with a light-hearted tribute to his daughter Tara on her eighth birthday—sipping pretend tea and performing a playful K-Pop dance, sending it as a “present” for her.
Looking Ahead: Djokovic vs. Alcaraz
With the win, Djokovic now prepares for a blockbuster semifinal clash against 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, who has successfully navigated the draw without dropping a set.
The match highlights the generational rivalry as Djokovic chases a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.