The father of eight-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic has slammed fans in Melbourne for disrespecting his son.
Crowds at Rod Laver Arena appeared to largely be backing Austrian world number four Dominic Thiem during the final against Djokovic last week, much to the disappointment of father Srdjan.
It follows a fortnight which saw fans noticeably back Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer over Djokovic.
His father took an extraordinary swipe at the Melbourne crowd, suggesting any anti-Djokovic sentiment would spur on the now 17-time Grand Slam champion.
“Seven-time Australian Open champion plays on centre court where he never lost any match, in the final, and he plays against some Austrian and they cheer for the Austrian, just imagine that disrespect to Novak,” he said.
“That’s just unbelievable but it’s the same way as in London, New York, it’s better in Paris, and the same in Madrid.
“Cheering against him only gives him additional energy and he will become the best player in history by every parameter.”
Djokovic returned to world number one in the world rankings after claiming his eighth Australian Open crown earlier this month, overtaking Spaniard Rafael Nadal.