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Novak Djokovic’s incident at the US Open when he struck a linesman on the neck with a ball that struck the back of the court after being irritated by a foul of service is perhaps the most expensive elimination in the Tennis history. The event is classified, under the Grand Slam rules, as “physical abuse” and states that players “must not, at any time, physically abuse any official, opponent, spectator or other person within the venue.”
The regulations subject the player to a fine of up to 20 thousand euros for each violation of this rule, with the possibility of escalation if it is considered a “serious offense”.
“In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly detrimental to the success of a tournament, or that are uniquely flagrant, a single violation of this section will also constitute the felony of” aggravated conduct “and will be subject to the additional penalties set forth below. “says the rule book.
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At its most severe, “aggravated conduct” can trigger “a fine of up to € 250,000 or tournament prize money, whichever is greater, and a maximum penalty of permanent suspension from play at all Grand tournaments. Slam ”.
Djokovic earned exactly € 250,000 for reaching the fourth round of the US Open.
In a statement, the United States Tennis Association said: “According to the Grand Slam rule book, after striking a ball in a dangerous or reckless manner on the court or hitting a ball regardless of consequences, the referee The US Open tournament disqualified Novak Djokovic from the 2020 US Open. By being eliminated, Djokovic will lose all points earned at the US Open and will be fined the prize money won in the tournament, in addition to any or all fines collected in relationship to the criminal incident. “
Despite the clarity of the rules, Djokovic defended his case for several minutes, saying that the linesman would not need to go to a hospital. A tournament official on the court responded that the consequences could have been different if the linesman had not fallen to the ground and remained there for a long time in obvious danger.
Incidents with tennis players hitting referees are rare, but not unprecedented. They had at least two similar ones in men’s tennis, though none as significant as the disqualification of a higher-ranked player in a Grand Slam.
At a Davis Cup match in Ottawa 2017, 17-year-old Denis Shapovalov hit an angry ball that hit President Arnaud Gabas in the eye and temporarily stopped his vision.
In the 2012 final of the Queen’s Club tournament in London, Argentine David Nalbandian kicked a wooden box that struck the shin of a seated linesman. His leg was bleeding.
With Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer not competing, and Marin Cilic and Andy Murray losing in the first week, Djokovic’s departure leaves the tournament without a man who has already won a Grand Slam title.
There will be an individual Grand Slam champion in men’s tennis for the first time since 2014, with Cilic.
Djokovic is not the first decorated champion to have a controversial tournament final. At the 2009 US Open, Serena Williams received a penalty point while losing match point, ending the match. She had threatened to shove a ball down the throat of a linesman who accused her of missing a foot.
At the 1990 Australian Open, John McEnroe was expelled from his fourth round match for verbal abuse of referees.
