![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/72\/590x\/secondary\/Novak-Djokovic-Davis-Cup-5083520.jpg?r=1700834448241\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
British tennis fans have been urged to show ‘respect’ after clashing with Novak Djokovic at the Davis Cup. The world No 1 told supporters of Leon Smith\u2019s team to ‘shut up’ after his post-match interview was interrupted by drumming and then accused them of ‘disrespect’.<\/p>\n
Smith initially defended the rowdy atmosphere after a 2-0 defeat which saw Great Britain knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Final 8. \u201cI would hate to see it quietening down, because there’s enough quiet tennis as it is,\u201d said the Scot. The ITF, which rules the Davis Cup, encourages a partisan atmosphere and has no plans to ban drums from the event.<\/p>\n
Some of the supporters\u2019 groups, such as the Stirling University Barmy Army, receive financial support from the LTA to travel to overseas ties. But an LTA spokesperson said: \u201cPassion is a unique component of the Davis Cup and is a competition where emotions run high, we are lucky to have strong travelling support and would always encourage GB supporters to behave with respect for our opposition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Djokovic was riled by heckling between his serves from some fans among the travelling 5,000 British support. And he put his hand to his ears and then blew kisses to one vocal fans after taking his first set point against British No 1 Cam Norrie in his second singles – and stared down the British contingent after sealing the ruthless win with his eighth ace.<\/p>\n
JUST IN: <\/strong> Djokovic furious after being ‘subjected to doping control’ before Davis Cup tie<\/strong><\/p>\n When the GB supporters\u2019 drums started up when he started his courtside interview, Djokovic snapped: “Learn how to respect players, learn how to respect people, you shut up, you be quiet.”<\/p>\n And in his post-match press conference, the Australian, French and US Open champion was still unhappy with the crowd. \u201cIt was the entire match pretty much,\u201d he claimed. \u201cDisrespect, but again, that’s something I have to be prepared for. In the Davis Cup, it’s normal that sometimes fans step over the line, but, in the heat of the moment, you react too and show that you don’t allow this kind of behaviour.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/72\/590x\/secondary\/Novak-Djokovic-Davis-Cup-GB-5083537.jpg?r=1700834448295\")
<\/p>\n\n