So relaxed was Novak Djokovic during his demolition job over Stefanos Tsitsipas at Wimbledon, he pranked an unsuspecting ball girl by crying out in pain as she followed his orders to cut off some black tape from his right shoulder with a pair of scissors.
Imagining she had injured the Serbian great in front of a global audience of millions, the shocked girl took a step back clutching her chest, possibly thinking she was just about to have a heart attack after messing up a simple job.
Within a fraction of a second, Djokovic burst out laughing – much to the relief of his unsuspecting victim who also dissolved into giggles as she realised it had all been a big joke.
“These kinds of things surface when you are two sets to love up rather than two sets to love down, but … I’m sorry if I scared her… it made me a bit more relaxed on the court. I was just having some fun,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion said after handing Tsitsipas a 6-3 6-4 6-2 flogging on Wednesday.
The manner of his crushing victory over his Greek rival meant the jokes kept flowing for Djokovic, who spotted twice Masters champion Rory McIlroy wearing his Green Jacket in Centre Court’s Royal Box.
“Rory, what a beautiful jacket,” Djokovic, who had slipped back into the personalised cream blazer that he has been sporting during this year’s championships, said during the on-court interview.
“Is that a Masters Jacket?” Djokovic asked the smiling Northern Irishman, who nodded his head to confirm that it was.
“I want that jacket. I’ll play you. This jacket for that jacket, we play tennis, no golf,” he added, tugging at his own blazer with the bemused crowd roaring their approval.
Djokovic will next face 25th-seeded Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech as he looks to continue his bid for an eighth Wimbledon title and a record 25th Grand Slam crown.
“Obviously you feel very happy, satisfied and joyful on the court when you are playing this way,” Djokovic told the crowd.
“I’m feeling great. I try not to take these moments for granted when playing on the Centre Court of Wimbledon.
“I feel very privileged to be walking out on this court at age 30-plus. I don’t think it’s a cliche because I actually believe it’s true, but age is just a number,” added the Serb who once again stepped out sporting a cream blazer that would not have looked out of place on a high-school student.
Source: Khaleej Times