At Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic accused fans of stretching 'Ruuuhne' into booing, then sarcastically stretched 'good' to sound like 'boo' and serenaded the crowd with a mock violin, proving he's still the maestro of mind games.

In a classic display of mental chess, Novak Djokovic navigated the volleys from the crowd as deftly as he did those on the court. Accusing fans of camouflaging their jeers as cheers for his opponent Holger Rune, Djokovic turned the tables by elongating 'good' to sound like 'boo' in his post-match interview. Unmoved by the theatrics, Rune dismissed the crowd’s impact, while Djokovic, brandishing his experience of over two decades, highlighted his unflappable focus on respectful supporters. Meanwhile, Wimbledon officials were left to ponder if there’s any umpiring capable of quelling Djokovic’s cat-and-mouse games with the crowd.

Brushing off any claims of misunderstanding, Djokovic insisted that he knew the fans were booing, even if the interviewer felt otherwise. 'I've been on the tour for over 20 years. You pick up a thing or two,' Djokovic quipped, folding his arms with a knowing look. The Serb made it clear that he is no stranger to crowd antics and possesses an almost radar-like ability to detect hostile energy, regardless of how cleverly disguised it might be.

'They can try to hide it all they want, but I've seen every trick in the book,' Djokovic added, clearly unfazed. This isn’t the first time Djokovic has faced less-than-hospitable crowds.

Indeed, Djokovic’s history of dealing with rowdy crowds is extensive. He has encountered boisterous audiences at various tournaments around the world, often responding with his own form of defiant grace. 'You guys can't touch me,' he declared, suggesting that no amount of booing, whether real or imagined, could shake his focus. This resilient mentality has clearly served him well throughout his illustrious career.

Despite the apparent discord, Djokovic maintained an air of magnanimity. 'I focus on the respectful fans who love and appreciate tennis,' he said, hinting at a selective hearing approach when it comes to ambient negativity. His statement was a clear acknowledgment of the legion of supporters who admire his skill, even if others might try to detract from his achievements.

During the match, Djokovic also treated the crowd to a theatrical moment by miming a violin, as if to play a tune of mock sympathy for their booing efforts. It was both a subtle rebuke and a reminder of his mental resilience. For many, it underscored his ability to remain composed under pressure, using humor to diffuse tension—a skill equally important on and off the court.

Holger Rune, ever the composed competitor, seemed largely indifferent to the crowd's alleged antics. 'I don’t think the fans played a massive part in the match,' he commented, downplaying any effect their cheers—or boos—might have had. Rune's focus certainly appeared to be fixed firmly on the game rather than the surrounding sideshow.

The incident sparked a modest debate over the role of crowd behavior in tennis. While Djokovic acknowledged the crowd's right to express themselves, he made it clear he draws the line when their actions cross into disrespectful territory. 'Cheer how you like, but step over the line, and I'll respond,' he cautioned, maintaining his stance that certain boundaries should not be breached. Tennis crowds can be as tricky to manage as a difficult serve, it seems.

As for Wimbledon officials, Djokovic suggested that they could step in to calm particularly unruly crowds. However, he conceded there's not much they can realistically do, given the spontaneous nature of crowd reactions. Still, his suggestion hinted at a broader question of maintaining sportsmanship and decorum in the stands. In any case, making sure everyone is clapping for the right reason might be a tough ask for anyone.

Ultimately, Djokovic’s handling of the crowd at Wimbledon was a masterclass in counter-manoeuvres. With a mixture of sarcasm, calculated gestures, and steadfast determination, he demonstrated why he remains one of tennis’s most formidable figures. After 20 years on tour, Djokovic has clearly perfected the art of transforming boos into mere background noise.