NOVAK Djokovic doesn’t like to lose.
The No. 1 ranked tennis star produced a hissy fit to remember during his 6-1 3-6 6-3 7-6 (2) US Open quarter final victory over 18th-seed Feliciano Lopez.
The Serbian champion lost his cool and his shirt after dropping the second set.
Djokovic was seen ripping his shirt off less than two seconds after Lopez claimed the second set before coolly strolling to his courtside chair.
He sat still briefly in a composed manner for a short moment, but the rage within eventually erupted.
#USOpen @DjokerNole is the smoothest player since Borg, and the most volatile since Nastase! https://t.co/esSvi3pYd6
— Paul Heyman (@HeymanHustle) September 9, 2015
He also nonchalantly attempted to destroy his racquet.
Even Tennis superbrat John McEnroe was impressed with the level of screaming.
http://t.co/8lY592EZvf RT TheCauldron: Jelena Djokovic tells John McEnroe she won’t translate a minor tantrum No… https://t.co/RhSgxn1JRq
— Milk (@mmiilkkk) September 9, 2015
Djokovic produced another fit of screaming in the third set a few minutes later, despite the fact he had nudged his nose back in front with a break of serve.
He eventually composed himself enough to outlast Lopez and wrap up the four-set win at just after 1am local time in New York.
His hissy fit didn’t go unnoticed.
Djokovic a nutcase when he losing
— Misimović (@SlicKSaneL) September 9, 2015
This match is probably going 4 sets #djokovic #lopez #USOpen Djocks a beast
— Alex Valentine (@shabbyalons) September 9, 2015
The win means Djokovic reached the semifinals at Flushing Meadows for the ninth consecutive year.
He said he could have easily been eliminated.
“I played a pretty bad game in the second and the set was gone,” Djokovic said.
“It was anybody’s game in the fourth set – he had a couple of break points. I didn’t have any chance on his service game and in the tie-break, it went my way. I played pretty good, very consistent, so I’m just glad to get through in four.”
“It was frustrating at times, but this is the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam. This is what you expect.
“I hope I can keep on going.”
He has now made it to the semifinals at 22 of the past 23 major tournaments.
Djokovic admitted Lopez’s style made things uncomfortable for him.
“Feliciano is one of those rare players who serves and volleys on first and second serves,” he said.
“He has a big serve. I played a bad game in the second game of the second set and it was gone.”
The 28-year-old will next take on defending champion Marin Cilic, who was unfazed by wasting a big lead or match points while holding on to beat 19th-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (3), 6-4 earlier Tuesday.
“A big mental fight,” the Croatian called it, “especially after losing that fourth set.”
Djokovic has never lost to Cilic, winning all 13 of their matches.
The two men’s quarterfinals on the other half of the men’s draw are Wednesday: No. 2 Roger Federer vs. No. 12 Richard Gasquet of France, and No. 5 Stan Wawrinka vs. No. 15 Kevin Anderson of South Africa.
Lopez’s loss dropped him to 0-4 in Grand Slam quarterfinals; this was his first time that far in New York.
Source:: news.com.au