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The sideshow that is Novak Djokovic took yet another turn after his latest victory at the French Open.
The polarising Serbian battled past Spanish 29th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 on Court Philippe Chatrier to reach the round of 16 as he chases a record 23rd grand slam title.
But it was events in the press conference that followed, seemingly with some of his compatriots, that had people talking.
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Before the press conference properly got underway, a reporter handed him a number of gifts, including a bunch of bananas.
The whole episode helped shed at least a little light on his “Iron Man” magnet episode from a couple of days prior.
“Nole, congratulations,” a reporter says in Serbian, in comments translated on social media. “Before we start, considering your team sometimes forgets to bring you bananas, dates and water, we prepared for you – bananas, dates.”
Djokovic cracked up then jumped in, saying: “Bananas, magnets, Iron Man, date,” before laughing more.
He then turned to a media official off camera and said: “We’ll explain later.”
After thanking the reporters and calling them “the best”, Djokovic put the French Open magnet to his chest and made an Iron Man pose before holding up all the gifts for photographs.
Djokovic, the world No. 3, has endured difficulties at times with journalists and fans across his two-decade career.
He has often bristled at the fact Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, his main contemporaries during this most recent era at the top of men’s tennis, are widely revered while he has not always been the most popular player.
But he is beloved in his home country and seems to thoroughly enjoy his exchanges with local journalists, which are often carried out in a much different mood to those with reporters from other nations.
This whole episode relates to his second-round victory at Roland Garros, when he was asked afterwards about some gestures he was making towards his team box.
“Bananas, dates and water,” he replied at the time. “I mean, I don’t understand. I ask them every time and they don’t understand me.
“So I show them this (gesturing), it means banana, this means date and this means water. And they don’t understand.”
Asked if the moves were related to tactics, he replied: “Nothing. Just that. I mean, I don’t need tactics of any kind. What am I going to do with that?”
Djokovic and the journalists all started laughing before the world No. 3 continued.
“Every match, every time, it’s the same. I show them, we make an agreement before the match, and they still don’t understand. They bring me an apple.
“Who wants an apple? Then I find a pear. I can’t find a date. Unbelievable. Now they’re putting magnets on my body. All sorts of stuff. Incredible.”
Hence the journalists starting his next post-match press conference by giving him the sustenance he failed to receive from his team.
It comes after a controversial start to the tournament for Djokovic, who is still to truly explain the magnet he had taped to his chest.
He also made headlines for writing “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop violence” on the camera lens after his first round victory, Djokovic stating afterwards he would do it again.
The 36-year-old has also been involved in a war of words lately with fellow pro Cameron Norrie, after the Brit hit Djokovic with an overhead smash in last month’s Italian Open.
Djokovic was also heavily booed during his victory over Davidovich Fokina for taking a medical time-out, with the crowd earning the wrath of John McEnroe.
Who knows what will happen next as Djokovic attempts to pull one clear of Nadal on all-time men’s grand slam singles titles?
Two-time French Open champion Djokovic, who has made the French Open quarter-finals in each of the past 13 years, will take on Peru’s Juan Pablo Varillas in the last 16 after his upset five-set victory over Polish 13th seed Hubert Hurkacz.
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