'Disrespectful' fans cheered Novak Djokovic's mistakes during an ATP Finals match in which he was dumped out the tournament by Roger Federer
- Novak Djokovic had his mistakes cheered by "disrespectful" fans during his defeat to Roger Federer at the ATP Finals in London on Thursday.
- The Serbian had his three double faults clapped by a portion of the crowd, and also had other errors cheered in the 6-4, 6-3 defeat.
- "I think it's disrespectful when you're clapping double faults," former British number one Greg Rusedski said on Amazon Prime. "There's a certain etiquette you have to have out there."
- Djokovic's defeat means Rafael Nadal will now finish the year as the world's number one tennis player for a fifth time.
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Novak Djokovic had his mistakes cheered by "disrespectful" fans during his defeat to Roger Federer on the ATP Finals on Thursday.
The Serbian was beaten 6-4, 6-3 by a flawless Federer at the O2 Arena in London, subsequently bringing to an end his hopes of winning the tournament for a record-equaling sixth time.
A portion of the crowd, which was awash with red flags in support of Federer, was heard cheering Djokovic's errors throughout the match, and clapping loudly after each of his three double faults.
Former England number one, Greg Rusedski, slammed the behavior, calling it "too much."
"I think it's disrespectful when you're clapping double faults. That's too much," Rusedski said during the live broadcast on Amazon Prime.
"I don't mind fans supporting one guy over the other - that's your choice - but there's a certain etiquette you have to have out there."
Annabel Croft, a former British number one, echoed Rusedski's comments, saying: "I felt sad for Novak tonight.
"What does he have to do to get a crowd on his side? He was playing some beautiful tennis and it was just met by polite applause.
"Some of his double faults were being clapped and cheered. I did feel a tinge of sadness for him because he looked a little lost out here and it can't be easy when you're taking on 20,000 people."
Federer hands Nadal number one spot after victory
The Swiss superstar's marvelous display saw him beat Djokovic for the first time since 2015, stripping the 16-time Grand Slam champion of his world number one spot.
Rafael Nadal will now end the year at the head of the ATP rankings for a fifth time, capping a stellar year for the Spaniard.
The 33-year-old has won four titles this calendar year, including two majors - first the French Open in June, followed by the US Open in September.
The chance to end the year on a high by winning the ATP finals for first time ever also still remains alive.
He plays Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final of his group games on Friday, where a win, so long as Daniil Medvedev beats Alexander Zverev too, will see him secure his spot in the last four, where he would then face Federer for a place in the final.
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