Wimbledon 2024: Djokovic marks England’s shootout win on Centre Court

Having lost the first set 6-4, seven-times champion Djokovic was leading 4-1 in the second when fans burst into applause, leaving both players briefly puzzled before they saw the funny side of things.

Winner Serbia’s Novak Djokovic waves to the crowd as he leaves Centre Court following his victory against Australia’s Alexei Popyrin. | Photo Credit: AFP

Novak Djokovic joined in with England’s Euro 2024 penalty shootout victory on Saturday, acting out a kick on Centre Court as Alexei Popyrin put up his hands for a pretend save as the crowd erupted at the news from Germany.

Having lost the first set 6-4, seven-times champion Djokovic was leading 4-1 in the second when fans burst into applause, leaving both players briefly puzzled before they saw the funny side of things.

Moments earlier, Trent Alexander-Arnold had converted the winning spot-kick in the shootout to send England into the last four after Manuel Akanji missed for Switzerland.

“I assumed it was a penalty shootout between England and Switzerland. It felt like for a set and a half the crowd really wanted to understand what the score was in the football match,” Djokovic said shortly after sealing a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3) win.

“Did England win in the end? That’s why you guys stayed. Congrats to England.

“I tried to shoot a penalty, I’m left-footed, but Alexei defended it well.”