Novak Djokovic criticized Wimbledon fans for "disrespect" after securing his 60th Grand Slam quarter-final and 15th at Wimbledon by defeating 15th-ranked Holger Rune 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, became frustrated with a section of the Centre Court crowd who chanted "Rune," which he interpreted as booing.

"To all the fans that have had respect and stayed here tonight, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I appreciate it," Djokovic said. "And to all those people that have chosen to disrespect the player -- in this case me -- have a goooooooood night," he added, mocking the fans' exaggerated "Ruuuuune."

When the TV interviewer suggested fans might have been shouting "Rune" rather than booing, Djokovic retorted, "They were (booing). They were. I am not accepting it. No, no, no. I know they were cheering for Rune but that's an excuse to also boo. Listen, I have been on the tour for more than 20 years. I know all the tricks, I know how it works. I focus on the respectful people that pay for the ticket, and love tennis and appreciate the players. I have played in much more hostile environments, trust me -- you guys can't touch me."

Later, Djokovic acknowledged to reporters that fans have the "right to cheer who they want to cheer," but added, "I'm not sure what Wimbledon can do about it. You can't remove a whole section of the crowd if they are misbehaving. I respect true fans but if someone steps over the line I will react."

Djokovic, who is still recovering from knee surgery last month and wears a knee support on his right leg, set the tone for the match by not allowing Rune to win a single point in the opening three games. He saved a break point in the second set's 10th game before securing another key break in the third set's first game.

Rune commented that his fans started chanting his name in their distinctive, bellowing manner when they first met at the US Open in 2021. "It sounded a little bit like 'boo'. We played each other many more times, but more in Italy and France, where they don't pronounce my name the same way," Rune explained. "Now we're in England. If you don't know what was happening, probably it sounded like 'boo'. If he didn't remember, it could probably sound different for him."

Djokovic will face Australian ninth seed Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals.