Google News
Novak Djokovic is through to his 17th consecutive Rome Masters quarter-final. Novak faced Cameron Norrie in the fourth round and earned a 6-3, 6-4 triumph in an hour and 30 minutes. The result was not that close, but the crowd at Foro Italico still witnessed plenty of heat and drama.
Novak did not like how Cameron behaved, explaining everything during the press conference. Norrie hit Djokovic in his leg with a smash at the net on a break point in the second set's fourth game. Novak stood with his back turned toward the net, and Cameron hit him despite having a slow ball and a chance to place it anywhere else.
Djokovic turned and stared at his opponent for a couple of seconds, not liking that move at all. Also, world no. 1 mentioned Norrie's late medical timeout in the second set and his constant Cmo'n right from the start of the match.
We saw a cold handshake after the encounter, but Djokovic is ready to leave the incident behind and continue, focusing on his next duel. Novak will face Holger Rune in a battle for a place in the semi-final.
Novak Djokovic did not like Cameron Norrie's acts in the Rome Masters R4.
"I did watch the replay when he hit me.
Maybe you could say he did not hit me deliberately. I do not know if he saw me. Pheripheralically, you can always see where the rival is. The ball was super slow and close to the net. I turned around because the point was over for me.
It's not only about that smash but a combination of things he did from the beginning. He is allowed to ask for a medical timeout, hit a player and say C'mon in the face from the very first point. However, all the players in the locker room know it's not fair play and how we treat each other.
But again, it's allowed, and what can you do? Cameron and I have been going well since he joined the Tour, practicing together. Honestly, he is a very nice guy off the court, so I do not understand this kind of attitude on the court.
It is what it is. He brought the fire, and I responded to it. I will not allow someone to behave like this just behind my head; I must respond. What happens on the court stays on the court, and we have to move on," Novak Djokovic said.