Novak Djokovic told a group of British fans to “shut up” as they tried to drown out his interview with musical instruments after their team were knocked out of the Davis Cup by Serbia.
Britain lost the quarter-final 2-0 as Cameron Norrie was unable to inflict a rare defeat on the world number one.
“You should learn how to show some respect,” Djokovic told the fans.
Jack Draper was beaten 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (8-6) by Miomir Kecmanovic in the opening match of the best-of-three tie.
That result meant Norrie had to beat 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic for the first time in his career.
But Djokovic showed his class as he cruised to a 6-4 6-4 win and set Serbia up for a semi-final against Italy on Saturday.
After an assured and drama-free performance, Djokovic had the spiky exchange prior to his on-court interview, challenging the small number of British fans who act as the team’s band.
He had celebrated at the end of the first set by blowing a kiss to a British supporter heckling him and also cupped his ear in their direction at the end of the match.
“It’s normal that sometimes fans step over the line and in the heat of the moment you react too, and in a way show that you don’t allow this kind of behaviour,” Djokovic said.
“They can do whatever they want, but I’m going to respond to that. That’s what happened.
“I was trying to talk and they were purposely starting to play the drums so that I don’t talk and they were trying to annoy me the entire match.”
Britain, who last won the Davis Cup in 2015, will not automatically qualify for the 2024 knockout stage after their quarter-final exit in Malaga.
Unless they receive a wildcard, Leon Smith’s team will have to negotiate the same path as this year – a qualifying tie early next year, followed by the round-robin stage before the Final Eight.
Andy Murray, who missed the tie through injury, said it was a “tough one” for his team-mates and thanked the British fans – estimated at almost half of those in attendance at the 11,500 capacity arena – for their support.
“Huge thanks to all the fans who made the big effort to travel out there and create a brilliant atmosphere for the players,” said Murray, who added the Davis Cup would not be the same without them.
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