NOVAK DJOKOVIC took on a fan heckling him from the crowd during his second-round win at the Australian Open.<br /><br />The Serb, 36, battled to a 6-3 4-6 7-6 (4) 6-3 win over home favorite Alexei Popyrin on Wednesday night.<br /><br />But with the pair locked together at 2-2 in the fourth set, Djokovic turned around before his service game and began talking to someone sitting a few rows back.<br /><br />Djokovic could be heard saying "Come and say that in my face," before one of the commentators labeled the spectator a "jerk".<br /><br />He then focused back on the match and finished the job to book his spot in the third round.<br /><br />And he was seen blowing the ball in the direction of the fan when he broke Popyrin two games later, to which commentator Nick Kygrios insisted: "You don't want to poke the bear."<br /><br />The World No1, who then celebrated in front of the same section of the crowd after his win, was asked about the incident during his post-match interview win as Kyrgios listened in from the studio.<br /><br />Djokovic said: "People made noise between first and second serves all night. Of course, it annoys me but at the same time, you have to accept it.<br /><br />"What frustrates me is the hecklers, so I confronted the heckler - Kygs [Kyrgios] did you like that exchange?<br /><br />"I invited the guy to come and say it to my face, whatever he was saying, he was saying a lot of nice things.<br /><br />"He was apologizing from far away, suddenly courage was absent when he needed to face me."<br /><br />Kyrgios, who is known for his on-court altercations, replied: "When he was heckling, I said if you want me to jump into the crowd and sort him out I will. I've got your back bro 100 percent."<br /><br />To which Djokovic added: "I'll keep that in mind, thanks Kygs!"<br /><br />Kyrgios, beaten by Djokovic in the 2022 Wimbledon final, also claimed he would "do WWE in the crowd".<br /><br />And Djokovic, who previously feuded with Kyrgios but now has a good relationship with the Aussie, called on the pair to "play doubles" together.<br /><br />Ten-time Australian Open winner Djokovic is seeking a record-extending 25th Grand Slam.<br /><br />He will face Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry for a place in the fourth round.<br /><br />Etcheverry beat Djokovic's old rival Andy Murray in the first round in Melbourne.
