Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner had different opinions about the controversial hindrance call during their semifinal match at the 2023 Wimbledon.
On the day of the semifinal matches, fans expected a lot of actions and possibly four or five-set matches. However, none of that happened as Djokovic cruised past Sinner in three sets before Carlos Alcaraz won by the same scoreline against Daniil Medvedev.
Therefore, it was not a surprise when the show was stolen by the umpire Richard Haigh. During the first semifinal match between the young Italian and the 23-time Grand Slam champion from Serbia, the umpire called a hindrance call on Djokovic during one of the rallies.
It was in the second set at 15-15 when Djokovic led 2-1 after breaking his opponent's serve. After the Serb hit a backhand down the line and extended his grunt, the umpire stopped the rally, giving Sinner the point and prompting surprised reaction from the eventual match winner.
After the match, Sinner was the first player to visit the press conference room, and obviously, he was asked about the moment. The Italian said that the Serb was 'shouting quite long and with volume up', while also saying that ultimately, it's the umpire who decides.
"Yeah, it's a call of the umpire, no? Obviously he hit the ball already, and then after he was shouting quite long and with the volume up. I came there, obviously I was quite focused about the ball. But, yeah, players, we do this when we are quite sure we win the point with this shot."
Once the Serb arrived to the press conference room, apart from his dominant victory, he was also asked about the moment. While respecting and accepting the decision from the chair umpire, Djokovic asserted that because his grunt finished before the Italian hit his shot, the umpire's call was not correct.
"First of all, I have to accept the decision from a chair umpire. That's it. It was quite a close call, I must say. I mean, it has never happened to me. I've never had a hindrance call for extended grunt. I saw the replay. I saw that my grunt finished before he hit the shot. So I thought that chair umpire's call was not correct. I mean, my opinion. Again, you have to accept it."
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