Djokovic rages as Serbian slams racket against ground in Italian Open two weeks after US Open axe

NOVAK DJOKOVIC has another outbirst just TWO weeks after his US Open disqualification.

The world No1 is competing in the Italian Open where he faced off against Dominik Koepfer in the quarter-finals on centre court.

Djokovic, 33, got past the world No97 winning the first set 6-3, losing the second 4-6 and winning the third and final set 6-3.

The semi-finals await Djokovic with nine time winner Rafael Nadal set to play his quarter-final later against Diego Schwartzman.

It was not an easy ride for the Serbian and yet again he let his anger get the better of him slamming his racket against the ground/

The frame was smashed as Djokovic once again let his temper get the better of him.

Today’s outburst comes after his recent disqualification at the US Open, which saw him hit a line judge in the throat with a ball.

Djokovic said he learned “a big lesson” ahead of the Italian Open, but today’s actions suggest otherwise.

Djokovic, 33, said: “It’s not the first nor the last racket I will break in my career.

“I have done it before and I will probably do it again.

“I don’t want to do it but when it comes, it happens. That’s how I release my anger sometimes.
“It’s definitely not the best message out there, especially for the young tennis players looking at me.

“I don’t encourage that. We are all people, we all do our best. There were periods when I don’t do that. There are times when I do.

“It’s unpredictable really in life what can happen. I am working on my mental and emotional health as much as my physical.

“I am not perfect and doing my best.”

Friend of Djokovic, Daniela Hantuchova critcised the tennis star on Amazon Prime for his actions at the US Open: “It feels like sometimes the anger comes out of control.

“I care so much about him and respect everything he is doing for our game, but I just hope there is a lesson to be learned.

“Even if this one came at the worst possible time, where pretty much the only thing standing between him and an 18th grand slam title was himself, with all my respect to the other players.”

The US Open outbirst ended up with a disqualification and a £206,000 penalty, but it’s not going to be a massive dent in the £108million prize money he has earnt over the span of his career.

Djokovic continues the hunt for Grand Slam No18 and undoubtedly his actions at the US Open will stick in his memory.