Novak Djokovic’s French Open Match Interrupted as Security Removes Rowdy Fan
During the French Open 2025 quarter-final match between Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev on June 4 at Court Philippe-Chatrier, a disruptive incident briefly halted play. As Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, was serving at 4-3, 30-0 in the fourth set, a rowdy spectator’s loud shouting drew the attention of both players and chair umpire Louise Azemar Engzell. Security personnel swiftly intervened, escorting the unruly fan out of the stadium, allowing the match to resume after a short delay. The incident, reported by Motorcyclesports.net and posts on X, underscored the challenges of maintaining order in the electrifying atmosphere of Roland Garros.[](https://motorcyclesports.net/novak-djokovic-french-open-security-scare/)
Djokovic, unfazed, showcased his mental fortitude, going on to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, securing his 19th French Open quarter-final appearance and a semi-final clash with Jannik Sinner. The 38-year-old Serb, who celebrated his 100th Roland Garros win earlier in the tournament against Cameron Norrie, leaned on his tactical brilliance, hitting 43 drop shots, 30 of which won points, per The Athletic. This disruption echoed earlier fan-related issues at the 2024 French Open, where Djokovic and Iga Swiatek complained about crowd behavior, leading to an alcohol ban in the stands after incidents like a fan spitting gum at David Goffin.[]
The match, scheduled for the night session at 7:15 PM BST (2:15 PM EST), was broadcast live on TNT, truTV, and the Tennis Channel in the U.S., and Eurosport in Europe. Despite the interruption, Djokovic’s focus remained intact, reinforcing his reputation as a clay-court genius, with Mats Wilander ranking him alongside Bjorn Borg as one of the surface’s all-time greats. Posts on X, including from @connorjoyceb, noted the swift police action, while @DExpress_Sport highlighted the incident’s impact on the high-stakes clash. The event served as a reminder of the passionate, sometimes unruly, atmosphere at Roland Garros, where Djokovic has faced vocal crowds before, notably during his 2024 match against Pierre-Hugues Herbert. As he pursues a record 25th Grand Slam, Djokovic’s ability to navigate distractions remains a key asset.[
