17 July 2023 , 21:20
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Novak Djokovic has been handed a fine of £6,117 for smashing his racket against the net post during his Wimbledon men's singles final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz.
The Serb hammered his racket into the post in frustration after being broken in the fifth set. Djokovic ended up breaking the racket and denting the post in the process.
Umpire Fergus Murphy immediately issued Djokovic a warning for a code violation. The crowd packed in to watch the final loudly booed the Serbian for his temper tantrum, as Alcaraz pulled ahead in the deciding set.
Alcaraz went onto win the final set 6-4 to cap off arguably the finest win so far - weeks after losing to Djokovic in a gruelling French Open semi-final. It denied Djokovic his 24th grand slam of his career.
And almost 24 hours since Djokovic's defeat, he has been handed the five-figure fine, which will come out of his runner-up cheque of £1.175m. Alcaraz is set to pocked around £2.25m instead.
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Former tennis star Andrew Castle was sympathetic towards Djokovic for his outburst of anger. Castle said in commentary on BBC Sport: "It's understandable how upset Djokovic would be. He has just lost his serve in the fifth set."
After the match, Djokovic said: "It is nice to see my son still there, still smiling. I love you. Thank you for supporting me. I will give you a big hug and we can all love each other.
The dent left in the netting post by Novak Djokovic (BBC)"I thought I only had trouble with Carlos on clay and hard court but now on grass too! He adapted amazingly. You never like to lose matches like this but when all the emotions have settled I have to be grateful. "I have to congratulate Carlos. I lost to a better player today.
"I have won so many close matches over the years and maybe should have lost a couple of matches I won, so maybe this is even. It is a tough one to swallow when you are so close. These are the moments we work for every day and I have been blessed with so many incredible matches and this is another one in the history books."
Alcaraz went on to pay tribute to Djokoivc, who is 16 years his senior, after he claimed his second Grand Slam title.
"It is amazing to play against him. He has inspired me a lot. I started playing tennis, watching Novak and he was already winning tournaments when I was born," the world No.1 said.