Novak Djokovic once clashed with a Wimbledon official after being found to have broken the tournament’s strict dress code. In 2019, the Serbian great was on his way to a fifth SW19 title when he met Hubert Hurkacz in the third round.
During the first set, with the sun beating down on Centre Court, Djokovic understandably pulled a cap from his bag between games, only to be told by the umpire that the headwear did not adhere to Wimbledon’s all-white dress code. While the majority of the cap was white, the dark area under the peak made it illegal. Djokovic was left bemused by the decision, as he had been permitted to wear the same cap in his previous match. Addressing the situation after his four-set victory over Hurkacz, Djokovic explained: “Very simple, last match, I was starting to unpack my hat. The chair umpire said he needs to check whether or not I’m able to play with it.
“He got a confirmation that I’m able to play. So I got the permission. I played with the hat. The same hat I took out now, I was not able to play with it.
“That’s why I was just questioning that call. I mean, no one has approached me before the match to tell me, ‘Well, you can’t really play with the hat this match.’ That’s all.”
Djokovic quickly moved on from the dispute to reach the final, where he defeated ‘big three’ rival Roger Federer in a five-set thriller that lasted for almost five hours. Six years on, the 38-year-old is now chasing his eighth Wimbledon crown and 25th Grand Slam title overall.
Next up, he faces 22nd seed Flavio Cobolli in the quarter-finals on Centre Court on Wednesday. Djokovic is on course for a mouthwatering semi-final meeting with world No.1 Jannik Sinner and potentially and third successive final against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
In front of old rival Federer, who was watching from the Royal Box, Djokovic overcame a dreadful start to defeat Alex De Minaur 1-6 6-4 6-4 6-4 in the fourth round. It was the sixth time he had lost a set 6-1 at the All England Club, but the first time he had done so in the first set.
Referring to Federer, Djokovic joked after the match: “Sometimes I wish I had the serve and volley and nice touch from the gentleman that is standing right there. That would help.
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“This is probably the first time he is watching me and I have won the match. The last couple of times I lost, so it’s good to break the curse.
“Obviously he’s one of the greatest legends of our game in the history of tennis. So it always is extra special when he’s in the stands.”