Deyo clashed violently with the referee during the match, questioning that the referee would only stick to the rules

Djokovic was unhappy with the enforcement of the service timing rules in his match against Musetti at the 2025 Miami Open. The Serbian star was clearly angry in this fourth-round match after a heated argument with the referee.

Djokovic and Musetti face off in the fourth round of the Miami Open for a place in the quarter-finals. The match took a dramatic turn from the first set, with the 24-time Grand Slam champion angrily complaining to the referee as he switched sides.

The Serbian questioned the referee as to why he had given a warning of a time violation when he had only overtimed by one second. He stressed that he had followed the time rules of serve well in the previous games, but expressed his displeasure with the referee's lack of leniency when he had just overtimed a second.

"What are you trying to achieve? This isn't your first game of law enforcement, is it? It's the fifth game of the game, right? What about the first few rounds? No problem, I have a good time control. But the first time I approached the time limit, just a second out of time, you gave me a warning? Djokovic asked.

To this, the referee explained that the decision does not depend on him, since the service timer is set automatically. However, Djokovic does not accept this explanation. "The tee timing is automatic, Novak. It will start automatically. The referee said. So basically, it's the timer that's controlling me, not you? The Serb asked rhetorically. This is the current rule. Because it starts automatically, you have to keep up with the time. The referee responded.

World No. 5 Novak Djokovic continues to argue that the referee should judge for himself based on the circumstances of the match, rather than mechanically giving a warning of a time violation. "So you have to keep up with the timer, right? So, you've never considered the tempo of the game in your enforcement career, and the players are doing multi-shot rounds? None of this matters to you, it's just that rules are rules? He said.

Despite the controversial incident, Djokovic won nine games in a row to beat Musetti 6-2 6-2 to advance to the quarter-finals of the Miami Open. The Serbian star is on his way to winning his seventh Miami Open title.

In the race for his first title since the gold medal at Paris 2024, Djokovic will face Koda in the quarter-finals in Miami. The American beat Monfils 6-4 2-6 6-4 to advance to the quarter-finals and face Djokovic.

Korda and Djokovic have only met once before at ATP Tour level. In the final of the 2023 Adelaide International, the 24-time Grand Slam champion won 6-7(8) 7-6(3) 6-4.

If Djokovic can extend his unbeaten streak against Koda, he will continue his run at the Miami Masters title against the winner of Dimitrov and Serundolo in the semi-finals.(Source: Tennis Home Author: Spark)