The incident occurred in the fifth set of his loss to Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz when the 36-year-old Serb’s serve was broken in the third game.

Umpire Fergus Murphy immediately issued Djokovic a warning for a code violation for the transgression.

The money will be deducted from his runner-up cheque of £1.175m.

Djokovic’s frustration had built up in the decisive set of an enthralling contest on Sunday, having missed a simple chance at the net for a break to go 2-0 up.

In the very next game Alcaraz backed up the hold by breaking the serve of the seven-time Wimbledon champion, which prompted the emotional outburst from Djokovic and brought boos from a section of the Centre Court crowd.

World number one Alcaraz took full advantage of the break to seal a 1-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 3-6 6-4 victory after four hours and 42 minutes.

The 20-year-old’s victory at the All England Club denied Djokovic a 24th grand slam title.

Second seed Djokovic won 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) against the Italian eighth seed, leaving him one victory away from a record-equalling eighth men’s title.

The 36-year-old Serb could also earn a record-equalling 24th major title.

Djokovic will play Spanish top seed Carlos Alcaraz or Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s final.

The pair, who contest the second semi-final later on Friday, are bidding to reach their first final at the All England Club.

By contrast, Djokovic has reached his ninth Wimbledon showpiece.

It will also be a record 35th Grand Slam final appearance after he surpassed the tally he previously shared with American Chris Evert.

Djokovic has not lost a completed match at Wimbledon since 2016 and has not been beaten on Centre Court since 2013.

“In the semi-finals, it was always going to be a very close and very tense match,” said Djokovic, who is 14 years and 86 days older than Sinner.

“That was the case and the scoreline doesn’t give the reality of what was happening on the court. It was super close.

“Jannik has proven why he is one of the leaders of the next generation and one of the best players in the world.

“I tried not to look at age as a hindrance or a factor of the outcome. I guess 36 is the new 26.”

• Experience prevails over youth – again

The contrast between Djokovic and Sinner in terms of experience was laid bare by the statistics before the match – and borne out in reality during it.

Sinner, 21, was playing his first Grand Slam semi-final, while Djokovic was contesting a 46th major semi-final – equalling Roger Federer’s all-time men’s record.

Djokovic, who turned 36 in May, was bidding to become the third oldest man in the Open era to reach the final. Sinner was aiming to become the youngest since 2007.

Knowledge of how to succeed on the biggest occasions in the sport, plus the ability to execute when it matters the most, proved to be the key.

In a lengthy opening game of the match, Sinner demonstrated his firepower with two forehand winners which teed up breakpoints.

But he could not take either of them in a six-minute game and paid the price when Djokovic took his only break point of the set in the second game.

A third break point came Sinner’s way at 3-1, but he dragged a poor cross-court forehand wide, allowing Djokovic to survive again after finding his first serve.

Sinner, who led Djokovic by two sets before losing in five when they met in last year’s quarter-finals, was not playing badly.

But, having not faced a seed in his run to the last four, Djokovic was a considerable step up in class. It told in the moments of fine margins.

Djokovic demonstrated his ability to clinically close out sets, hitting three aces and a service winner from 0-15 down at 5-3 in the opener.

Djokovic had never lost at Wimbledon when he had won the first set, a run spanning 76 main-draw matches.

Things looked increasingly ominous for Sinner when he handed over a break for 2-1 in the second set.

A fourth chance to take Djokovic’s serve went begging in the fourth game – where the Serb was docked a point for hindrance, judged by British umpire Richard Haigh to have disturbed Sinner with a long grunt, and then warned for taking too long to serve.

After his jaw dropped in disbelief and had words with the official, Djokovic quickly regained focus to hold.

The former world number one went on to serve out the second set without facing a further break point and few would have backed Sinner to turn the match around at that point.

The Italian refused to wilt like many expected and instead raised his level to push Djokovic in a tight third set.

Djokovic was becoming increasingly tetchy as a result.

He had an exchange with a fan after saving two set points at 5-4, sarcastically telling them to stop crying, then smiling in the same direction after securing victory in the tie-break.

Alcaraz beat Danish sixth seed Holger Rune, another 20-year-old, 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 6-4 in his quarter-final.

Unseeded Chris Eubanks’ dream run was ended by 27-year-old Medvedev in a thrilling five-set contest.

Medvedev, who had never been past the last 16 before, beat the American 6-4 1-6 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-1.

Now Alcaraz and Medvedev – who have both won major titles on the US Open hard courts – will attempt to reach their first finals on the Wimbledon grass when they play in the last four on Friday.

In the other semi-final, Serbian second seed Novak Djokovic, who is going for a record-equalling eighth men’s title, faces Italian eighth seed Jannik Sinner.

Reaching the semi-finals is a dream – Alcaraz

Alcaraz and Rune are seen as two of the hottest prospects in the men’s game, with expectations increasing they can build an exciting rivalry in the coming years.

Alcaraz was born only a week after Rune in 2003 but is clearly further ahead in his development, having already claimed the world number one ranking and a maiden Grand Slam title.

With a dominant performance in his first Wimbledon quarter-final, the prodigious Spaniard again proved his time is already here.

It is easy to forget Alcaraz is playing in only his fourth senior tournament on grass, such is the speed and quality with which the Queen’s champion has adapted this summer.

“For me, it is a dream to be able to play a semi-final here. I think I am playing great, a good level. On this surface, it is crazy,” he said.

Rune’s development on the grass has also been rapid. He had never won a professional match on the surface until this summer, but it was hoped he could push Alcaraz in an eagerly anticipated encounter.

Rune earned an early break point, which Alcaraz saved with an ace, but further opportunities were scarce.

Alcaraz applied pressure when the Dane twice served to stay in the set, but he held on to tee up a tie-break as the tension continued on Centre Court.

Nobody could confidently predict which way the set decider would go.

But a double fault from Rune at 3-3 handed over the momentum, allowing Alcaraz to take control and unleash a visceral roar when he sealed the advantage with a ripper of a backhand winner.

Another tight set followed with little to choose between the pair. Another mistake from Rune proved fatal.

A smash into the net brought up break point – and groans from an invested crowd – and Alcaraz took it with a crisp backhand down the line.

Rune popped off court for a mental reset and it seemed to work as he confidently held to love at the start of the third set.

But he was given a time violation for taking too long to serve at 2-2, contributing to Alcaraz breaking and the set running away from him.

Alcaraz was unable to take a match point when Rune served at 5-3 but came through a minor wobble in the next game to become the youngest Wimbledon men’s semi-finalist since Djokovic in 2007.

“I feel like whoever got that first set had a big advantage,” said Rune, who added he did not feel well when he woke up on Wednesday morning.

“I did my best in the circumstances. I fought until the end. He played a good match, I could have played better. It’s a part of it and I just have to move on.”

Medvedev reaches first Wimbledon semi-final

When Medvedev faces Alcaraz it will be the first time the Russian has featured in a Wimbledon semi-final and the fourth time he has made this stage at a Grand Slam tournament.

With the decision made to keep the roof closed on Court One, a cacophony of noise was generated with the sound of the ball hammering off racquets and cheers from the crowd echoing around the arena.

On his debut in the Wimbledon main draw, big-hitting Eubanks was featuring in a first Grand Slam quarter-final and had the backing of the British crowd.

The world number 43 has endeared himself to the All England Club crowds by bringing his style and personality to the grass courts, despite having claimed it is the “stupidest surface” earlier this summer.

Medvedev took a comfortable first set but Eubanks’ powerful shots from the baseline and rapid serving quickly wrapped up the next two to give him the lead.

The Russian stuck to his game plan in the fourth set and relied on the notion that he could maintain his level for the long run.

That plan worked as Eubanks faded away in the deciding set, falling a double-break behind and ultimately succumbing after sending a forehand long.

Medvedev has never lost on Court One and his greater experience in latter stages of tournaments proved too much for the underdog.

But Eubanks will reflect on a stunning grass-court swing, where he won a first ATP title and will rise into the world’s top 40 having never previously cracked the top 100 until April.

The defending champion takes on Andrey Rublev in Tuesday’s quarter-finals, having played his previous match against Hubert Hurkacz over two days.

Play starts each day at 13:00 BST on Court One and 13:30 on Centre, with a 23:00 curfew resulting in some matches being suspended until the next day.

“I think the matches could be pushed at least to start at 12:00,” he said.

“I think it would make a difference.”

He described how he had spent seven hours waiting for his fourth-round match against Hurkacz to start on Sunday because the earlier matches ran long.

And he then had the opposite issue when the matchup resumed for a fourth set on Monday, with the preceding tie finishing quickly because Beatriz Haddad Maia retired injured after just 21 minutes of play against Elena Rybakina.

“I think there are different ways that I’m sure they will address this issue and try to avoid having these kind of problems in the future,” Djokovic said.

Sally Bolton, CEO at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, said on Monday there was no guarantee an earlier start time would be considered on Centre Court for next year’s tournament.

Djokovic said he hoped he would recover and be as fresh as he possibly could be when he meets Russian seventh seed Rublev for a place in the last four.

Rublev – aiming to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final – got his five-setter in the previous round finished on Sunday, and so meets the 23-time major champion having had a day of rest.

And, with a 3-1 losing record against the seven-time Wimbledon winner, he will be glad of it.

“Novak is one of the best players on grass, the player who [in the] last couple of years almost doesn’t lose on grass. In my case, nothing to say. Just to go there and to try to do, to fight, do as best as I can my job.”

Safiullin aims to continue life-changing run

Tuesday’s other men’s quarter-final pits Italian eighth seed Jannik Sinner against Russian world number 92 Roman Safiullin, who had never been beyond the second round at a Grand Slam until now.

He might have done at last month’s French Open – but he forgot to enter the qualifying tournament.

The 25-year-old, who does not have a clothing sponsor and is staying in a budget hotel, is hoping his life will change after guaranteeing himself £340,000 for progressing to this stage.

Not that he will be changing hotels.

“Why should I change it?” he said. “Of course, it’s not like five stars, but I like the bed.”

Swiatek and Svitolina meet after thrillers

Two of the best matches at Wimbledon this year came on Sunday in the women’s fourth round and the winners of those thrillers will meet in the last eight on Tuesday.

World number one Iga Swiatek, who saved two match points to get past Belinda Bencic, takes on Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, who won a superb three-setter against Victoria Azarenka in what she called “the second happiest moment” of her life after giving birth.

Swiatek has worn a yellow and blue ribbon on her hat in support of Ukraine since the Russian invasion and Svitolina is grateful for the support the world number one has shown.

“I’m really thankful for her support of Ukrainians, Ukraine, doing everything that is in her power, being vocal about that,” said Svitolina, who lost her only previous meeting against Swiatek on clay in Rome in 2021.

Swiatek is chasing a fifth Grand Slam title, while Svitolina is still seeking a first, having reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2019.

Since returning from having her daughter in October last year, she has reached the quarter-finals of the first two majors she has competed in.

American fourth seed Jessica Pegula and 2019 French Open runner-up Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic meet in the day’s other women’s quarter-final.

Both have dropped only one set on their way to the last eight and are enjoying their best ever runs at the All England Club.

Elsewhere on day nine, there are British players in action in the doubles, with Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski seeking to reach the men’s quarter-finals with their respective partners Michael Venus of New Zealand and Dutchman Wesley Koolhof.

And in the mixed doubles, Jonny O’Mara and Olivia Nicholls play a quarter-final against Australian fifth seeds Matthew Ebden and Ellen Perez.

Djokovic was leading by two sets when they were forced off court on Sunday night because of the 11pm curfew.

The Serb, going for a record-equalling eighth men’s title, dropped the third but won 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (8-6) 4-6 6-4.

Third seed Daniil Medvedev reached the last eight for the first time as Czech opponent Jiri Lehecka retired.

Medvedev will face Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas – a player with who he has developed a spicy rivalry – or unseeded American Christopher Eubanks in the last eight.

Djokovic through despite ‘feeling miserable’

Djokovic, 36, has been unbeatable at the All England Club in recent years, winning the men’s title at the past four Championships and not losing a completed match here since retiring injured in 2016.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion’s progress this year had been smooth until facing Hurkacz, not dropping a set in his opening three matches.

A below-par start from the Serb on Monday changed that.

Both players had again dominated serve in a third set which looked likely to go to another tie-break – until 17th seed Hurkacz, who famously beat Roger Federer in the Swiss great’s final match at Wimbledon in 2021, broke to reduce the deficit.

Djokovic looked slightly rattled at the end of the set, gesturing to his team as he searched for answers.

Like he has done so many times in his glittering career, Djokovic found them in the fourth.

When the huge-serving Hurkacz began misfiring in the seventh game, Djokovic swarmed over his second serve and converted a third break point.

Now back in the groove, he twice held to love to seal victory and will face Russian seventh seed Andrey Rublev in his 14th quarter-final at Wimbledon.

“I don’t recall the last time I felt this miserable in returning games thanks to Hubert’s powerful and accurate serves,” said Djokovic, who has not been beaten on Centre Court since the 2013 final against Andy Murray.

“It is one of the best serves in the word and is hard to read.

“It was not really an enjoyable match for me, this match could have gone either way.”

Medvedev loving life on Court One

Russia’s Medvedev was already in command, having won the opening two sets 6-4 6-2, when Lehecka decided to quit after struggling with blisters on his feet.

Medvedev said he “honestly did not know” how badly 21-year-old Lehecka was hampered.

“I saw his movement was a little bit restricted, but the way he struck the ball, I thought it was not going to cause him too much trouble,” he said.

“Of course I feel sorry for Jiri because, in the fourth round of Wimbledon, to get hurt is not easy.”

Medvedev has now reached at least the quarter-finals at all four Grand Slam tournaments

Most of the 27-year-old former world number one’s success has come on hard courts, notably when he won his first major title at the 2021 US Open.

Grass courts have been his least successful surface in recent years, leading to Medvedev saying before the tournament he was hoping to change his fortunes.

Playing on Court One at the All England Club has helped – this victory means he continues to have never lost there.

“The thing is it’s my fifth Wimbledon and I was not very successful but I’ve never lost on Court One,” he said.

“So I feel sorry that probably for the quarters I’m going to play on Centre Court. I’m like, can I just continue here? I love it.

“I’m really happy and looking forward to my next match. Hopefully, I can give 100%.”

Djokovic edged out two fine tie-breaks, despite some powerful Hurkacz serving.

When it resumes on Monday, Djokovic will have a 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (8-6) lead.

Russia’s Andrey Rublev reached his first Wimbledon quarter-final with a five-set victory over Alexander Bublik, making a wonder shot in the final game.

Djokovic battles to lead against big-serving Hurkacz

Djokovic has won Wimbledon seven times and is aiming to equal Roger Federer’s record of eight wins in the men’s singles.

The 36-year-old Serb is yet to lose a set in this year’s championships but had to fight back from 6-3 down in the opening tie-break, winning five points in a row, against the big-serving Pole, who failed to convert three successive set points.

The second set also went the distance as 17th seed Hurkacz, who beat Federer in the 2021 quarter-finals in what proved to be the Swiss legend’s last game at Wimbledon, fought hard.

Hurkacz had earlier saved three break points in the seventh game of the second set, reaching speeds of 139mph with his serve and producing 23 aces in the opening two sets, but could not hold off Djokovic who again won the tie-break 8-6.

However, with the curfew of 23:00 BST coming, play was suspended with the match having to be played to a finish on Centre Court on Monday.

Rublev hits wonder shot as he beats Bublik in thriller

Djokovic’s match started at 20:49 BST on Sunday following an excellent five-set encounter in the opening match on Centre, which Rublev took with a thrilling 7-5 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 win.

Bublik won the fourth and eighth games of the second set with underarm serves and fought back superbly before Rublev triumphed.

In the penultimate point of the match, the seventh seed dived to his right and found a winner that stunned the crowd.

Three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe, on commentary for BBC TV, described it as “one of the great shots” of recent years at the Championships, adding that it was “incredible” and “an electric way” to end the match.

Those who were inside a packed Centre Court crowd treated to one of the matches of the tournament, were on their feet to applaud after the point.

Bublik looked stunned at the diving effort, before applauding from the other end of the court; however, Rublev later said it was a shot he would not be able to repeat.

“It was the most lucky shot ever,” said Rublev. “It was luck, nothing else. I don’t think I can do it one more time.”

Andrey Rublev won the match despite sustained a finger injury that needed a medical time out in the first set. He resumed with a bandaged finger

Rublev, 25, sustained a painful injury to his finger at 4-4 in the opener, signalling he was hurt and needing a medical timeout, but, with his finger bandaged up he was gifted the set thanks to 23rd seed Bublik’s double fault when set point down.

But Bublik shocked and entertained the crowd with the underarm serves. The first came at the end of the fourth game in the second set, trailing 2-1, with Rublev just about getting there, but only sending his shot into the net.

The second happened with Bublik 5-2 behind, Rublev reaching the ball on its second bounce. Amusingly, Bublik’s service game in between, the sixth of the second set, was the one where he lost his serve while utilising a regular service action.

Rublev was two points away from victory in the third set tie-break, as he fought back from 6-3 behind to 6-6, before Bublik clinched the set with a fine passing shot.

Bublik fought back from 5-3 down to take the fourth set tie-break to force a deciding set.

Russian players were banned at Wimbledon in 2022, following the country’s military invasion of Ukraine, but they have returned this year, and Rublev advanced into the last eight after he gained a decisive break in the seventh game of the final set on his Centre Court debut.

Shapovalov out, but Dimitrov and Sinner advance

World number 92 Roman Safiullin had never got past the second round of a slam before this tournament but the Russian is into the quarter-finals after fighting back from a set down to beat Canada’s 26th seed Denis Shapovalov.

Safiullin, 25, won 3-6 6-3 6-1 6-3 and will face eighth seed Jannik Sinner after the 21-year-old Italian defeated Colombia’s Daniel Elahi Galan 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 6-3.

Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov wrapped up victory in the last of the third-round matches, beating American Frances Tiafoe, seeded 10th, in straight sets.

Dimitrov, the 21st seed, was two sets ahead on Saturday when rain forced the match to be suspended, with the 2014 semi-finalist sealing a comfortable 6-2 6-3 6-2 victory on Sunday.

He will face Danish sixth seed Holger Rune in the last 16 on Monday.

The 20-year-old Spaniard won a four-set thriller 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 7-5 on Centre Court in an absorbing third-round tie that took almost four hours.

Alcaraz will now play either 19th seed Alexander Zverev of Germany or 2021 runner-up Matteo Berrettini of Italy.

Elsewhere, third seed Daniil Medvedev defeated Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics.

Fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, playing for the fifth successive day after beating Andy Murray on Friday in a match that began on Thursday, gained victory over Serbia’s Laslo Djere.

Tsitsipas won 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 and will meet unseeded American Chris Eubanks, who won three tie-breaks to overcome Australia’s Chris O’Connell.

“To play here, it’s something I dreamed of probably when I started playing tennis,” US Open champion Alcaraz said.

“This is something special and the most beautiful court I’ve faced and I would like to be back here.”

Carlos Alcaraz also reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2022, losing to Italy’s Jannik Sinner

Alcaraz, who had not lost a set in his opening two rounds, made a fine start, breaking Jarry’s serve in the seventh game of the match.

But his Chilean opponent, enjoying his best run at Wimbledon having won just one of his four matches here in previous years, gained an early break and had another opportunity to make it 4-0 but could not convert.

However, it did not prove costly as the 6ft 6in Jarry, with an excellent serve regularly at the 130mph mark, took the tie-break to level the match.

The match began under the roof and tournament rules meant it then had to stay closed despite the hot and sweaty conditions, with a number of spectators repeatedly using handheld fans in an attempt to keep cool.

Alcaraz instantly got back on track in the third set, producing some excellent passing shots and also showing his skill and technique with some delicate drop shots as he broke in the fourth game to go two sets to one ahead.

But the fourth did not go entirely to plan as the big-serving Jarry led 3-0 and 4-2, although Alcaraz fought back to seal a memorable win against the 27-year-old.

Medvedev sees off Fucsovics challenge

Third seed Medvedev is at his most comfortable on hard courts but said after the second round that, while he is not totally at home on the grass, he is “knocking on the door”.

He immediately struggled on serve against Fucsovics, a former Wimbledon quarter-finalist who is more dangerous than his world number 67 ranking implies.

His serve was exceptional in the first set, with Medvedev often standing back by the line judges to receive, and an early break was enough to help him clinch the opener 6-4.

However, Medvedev responded quickly, breaking Fucsovics to love on his way to levelling the match, before starting the third set with an immediate break of serve.

With Fucsovics battling a foot problem as the match slipped over the three-hour mark, Medvedev was able to serve out victory in clinical fashion, taking the fourth set 6-4 to reach the fourth round for just the second time.

Medvedev will face Jiri Lehecka in the last 16 after the player from the Czech Republic eliminated American 16th seed Tommy Paul, winning a five-set encounter that lasted four hours, four minutes.

Sports stars pack out Royal Box

Footballers Beth Mead and Leah Williamson, who helped England win the Women’s Euros last year, were among the sports stars in the Royal Box on Centre Court

As is tradition on the opening Saturday of Wimbledon, the Royal Box on Centre Court was packed with sporting stars past and present.

Former BBC presenter and French Open winner Sue Barker was there, as were ex-Wimbledon champions Stefan Edberg, Jan Kodes and Billie Jean King, along with 1968 finalist Judy Dalton and America’s five-time doubles champion Rosie Casals.

Elsewhere, four members of the Lionesses squad that won football’s Euro 2022 last year – Leah Williamson, Jill Scott, Fran Kirby and Beth Mead – were present, as well as former England captain Gary Lineker.

Horse racing legend AP McCoy, five-time Olympic rowing gold medallist Steve Redgrave, England cricketer Sam Curran, Scottish athlete Eilish McColgan and gymnasts Joe Fraser and Jessica Gadirova were also in attendance.

Former jockey AP McCoy and Olympic gold medallist Steve Redgrave were at Wimbledon on Saturday