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Novak Djokovic said he learned “a huge lesson” after being disqualified from the US Open for accidentally hitting a linesman in the throat with a reckless pitch.
The incident on September 6 represented an abrupt end to the Serb’s 29-game winning streak and his bid for his 18th Grand Slam title.
“I’m working mentally and emotionally as hard as I do physically,” Djokovic said at the Italian Open on Monday. “I’m trying to be the best version of myself on and off the court, and I understand that I have outbursts and that this is the type of personality and the player that I have always been.”
“I’m going to take this as a huge lesson. I’ve been thinking about it. I’ve been understanding it. I’ve been talking to my team. It’s one of those things that turns out to be unfortunate and happens. You have to move on.”
The disqualification occurred in the fourth round match between Djokovic and the Spanish Pablo Carreño Busta.
Photo: Getty Images On his way to make the change to the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium, trailing 6-5 in the first set, Djokovic – who entered the tournament as the first seed, world number one and a wide favorite to raise the trophy – showed his frustration by hitting a ball backwards. The ball hit the linesman, who fell to her knees with a sore neck.
“It was totally unexpected and unintentional as well,” Djokovic said. “When you hit a ball like that there is the possibility of hitting someone who is on the court. The rules are clear. So I accepted it. I had to move on and that’s what I did.”
Djokovic said he went to check on the judge’s condition after the incident and she assured him it was not a serious injury.
“I felt really sorry to make such an impression and drama on her, since she didn’t deserve it at all,” added Djokovic. “Obviously she was a volunteer doing her job. She loves tennis, and I understand she has been there for several years.”
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