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