Novak Djokovic has been fined £5,600 by Wimbledon officials after being punished for an audible obscenity during this year’s tournament.
The All England Club released its latest fines list on Tuesday evening, with Djokovic among 17 players sanctioned for code violations. The seven-time Wimbledon champion was fined $7,500, roughly £5,600, for an incident listed on July 6.
According to the Daily Express, the exact moment that triggered the fine was not confirmed, but it may relate to Djokovic’s fourth-round match against Roman Safiullin, when he received a warning from the chair umpire after shouting an obscenity during the third set.
Djokovic admits he is not proud
Djokovic was visibly frustrated during his 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win over Safiullin, a match in which the Russian qualifier repeatedly disrupted his rhythm.
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The outburst came after Djokovic was broken early in the third set, and the chair umpire issued a code violation for audible obscenity.
Afterwards, Djokovic accepted that his emotions had spilled over.
“Not something I’m proud of when I get warning or something like that, I have a meltdown,” he said.
“Not something I’m looking for, for sure. But when it happens, it happens.
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“Just try to eliminate it, not think about it too long, move on to the next point and the next task at hand.”
The fine is unlikely to have any major financial impact on Djokovic, but it adds another controversial note to a Wimbledon campaign already full of tension and intensity.
Five-hour battle makes history
The fine did not stop Djokovic from producing one of the most remarkable wins of the tournament.
Described by Novak Djokovic’s official website, the 39-year-old defeated third seed Félix Auger-Aliassime 7-6 (10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (10-4) in the longest Wimbledon quarter-final in history.
The match lasted five hours and 15 minutes, with Djokovic eventually winning the deciding match tie-break to reach another semi-final at SW19.
It was also his eighth consecutive Wimbledon semi-final, underlining the extraordinary consistency of a player who is still competing for major titles deep into his late thirties.
Sinner waits in the semi-final
Djokovic’s reward is a meeting with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
According to talkSPORT, Djokovic also clashed with Wimbledon officials during the Auger-Aliassime match over the decision to close the Centre Court roof earlier than he expected.
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The exchange added to a week in which Djokovic has mixed brilliant tennis with visible irritation, but he remains alive in his pursuit of history.
A victory over Sinner would move him one win away from an eighth Wimbledon title and a record 25th Grand Slam singles crown.
History still within reach
Djokovic is trying to become the oldest Grand Slam men’s singles champion of the Open era.
At 39, he is no longer able to move through tournaments without physical and emotional strain. But his win over Auger-Aliassime showed that he still has the endurance, nerve and tactical control to survive matches that many younger players would not.
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The fine is a reminder of how close to the edge Djokovic can play emotionally. The quarter-final was a reminder of why, even now, he remains so difficult to beat.
With Sinner next, Wimbledon is about to find out whether Djokovic’s body can recover quickly enough for one more historic push.
