Novak Djokovic’s explosive outburst as he battled to defend his title in a five-set thriller at the French Open has been translated by language sleuths – with one native speaker claiming the world No. 1 said “I could kill right now”.
The Serbian legend launched into the fiery spray after dropping a point on serve towards the end of his tense fourth round clash with Argentine player Francisco Cerundulo on Monday.
The dropped point, which followed Djokovic briefly finding himself a break up at 2-0 in the fifth set, caused a 30-30 tiebreak against the world No. 19.
Novak then vented to his family who were in the box on Court Philippe-Chatrier, as he walked to pick up more balls to begin his next serve.
The reigning champion was seen in a panicky exchange with his wife Jelena Djokovic, 37, who was visibly on the edge of her seat.
He gestured menacingly with his hands and bellowed up at his wife while she stood in the box and shouted back at him with clasped hands.
A Serbian speaker who analysed the TV footage told the MailOnline that Novak in in that moment said “I could kill right now” – a phrase not meant to be taken literally – as his wife supportively urged him to “come on”.
“They still have a time for wife and husband stuff,” a Twitter user joked of the heated exchange.
Djokovic eventually secured his spot in the quarterfinals with a 6-3 triumph in the fifth quarter to make a final score of 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Despite the 37-year-old’s hard-fought epic win after four hours and 39 minutes, the Serbian great withdrew from the tournament on Tuesday due to a torn meniscus in his right knee.
“For the last couple weeks, I have had slight discomfort in the right knee,” he said.
“But I was playing with it and no issues until today. Of course, the late finish from few nights ago didn’t help.”
He said he “slipped” in the third game of the second set after “many times I slipped and fell today” which “affected the knee”.
Djokovic, unsure whether he should continue the second set, received medication and asked for more after the third set.
He said it was just about the end of the fourth when the pain “started to really improve”.
“But the effect of the medication will not last for too long. We have done some tests with the doctor after the match.”
Djokovic was due to take on Casper Ruud of Norway, who had been to four sets in his last two outings after another five setter against Spanish National Alejandro Davidovich Fokana.