Novak Djokovic sorry after wild outburst leaves Wimbledon ball girl shaken

World No 1 admits things got 'intense'

Djokovic during his match with Kevin Anderson (GETTY IMAGES)

Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic has promised to apologise to a shaken ball girl after a wild outburst in her direction.

The incident happened during his tough five-set fourth round victory over big-serving South African Kevin Anderson.

The world number one, who had fought back from two sets down on Monday in a match halted by bad light, let rip midway through the tense final set. He appeared to aggressively shout "towel" at the youngster whilst angrily gesticulating.

Asked about the incident, he expressed surprise and said the anger was aimed at himself.

“It was a very, very intense fifth set,” Djokovic said. “I just took out everything I had, not on anybody but me. I was looking at the box, but I was talking to myself. Emotions are present, always going through ups and downs.”

Watch the moment below...

Djokovic during his match with Kevin Anderson (GETTY IMAGES)

The incident recalls an episode in Miami three months ago when Djokovic apologised to a ballboy after another on-court outburst. Asked if he would make similar amends to the ballgirl here, Djokovic said: “I’m sorry. There was nothing towards her. Maybe she was just afraid of my screaming there. I was pretty close to her. I’m definitely going to try to apologise to her if I did something wrong.”

Djokovic completed a 6-7, 6-7, 6-1, 6-4, 7-5 victory to set up today's quarter-final with Marin Cilic.