Djokovic asks linesman for ‘support’ after trolling

Novak Djokovic of Serbia tends to call out linesman Laura Clark, who was hit with the ball during her US Open fourth round match against Pablo Carreño Busta on September 6, 2020.

Novak Djokovic urged his fans to be “supportive and caring” with the linesman at the center of his US Open default row after she was attacked by online trolls.

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Djokovic said the referee, who was hit in the throat by a ball that the world’s number one hit in anger, “had done nothing wrong.”

Some critics on social media accused the linesman, who fell to the ground and appeared to be having trouble breathing, of exaggerating the extent of her injury.

“Please also remember that the linesman who was hit by the ball last night also needs the support of our community,” the 33-year-old Serb tweeted on Monday.

“She has done nothing wrong at all. I ask you to support and take special care of her during this time.”

Djokovic was disqualified due to the incident as he missed the opportunity to win his 18th Grand Slam title and close the gap with Rafael Nadal (19) and Roger Federer (20).

He later said he was “extremely sorry” for causing the accident and said that he had apologized to the US Open organizers for his “behavior.”

Prominent members of the tennis community said there was no doubt that Djokovic, who played Spain’s Pablo Carreño Busta in the round of 16, had to be disqualified.

The United States Tennis Association said it failed to abide by the Grand Slam rules for “intentionally hitting a ball in a dangerous or reckless manner on the court or hitting a ball without regard for consequences.”