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Updated: September 7, 2020 3:44:30 pm
Novak Djokovic of Serbia and a tournament official attend to a linesman who was hit with a ball by Djokovic against Pablo Carreño Busta of Spain (not in the photo) on day seven of the US Open (USA TODAY Sports)
The tennis world was in shock when world No. 1 Novak Djokovic was disqualified from the US Open on Monday for hitting a linesman with a ball.
The men’s seeded fell behind 5-6 in the first set of his match against Pablo Carreño Busta on Sunday after a ball he hit in frustration hit an official in the throat.
The 33-year-old Serb posted an apology on Instagram, promising to draw valuable lessons that would help his “growth and evolution as a player and a human being.
See this post on Instagram
This whole situation has left me really sad and empty. I checked the person on the lines and the tournament told me that thank God she was feeling fine. I’m so sorry that I caused you so much stress. So involuntary. So wrong. I will not reveal your name to respect your privacy. As for disqualification, I need to go back inside myself and work on my disappointment and turn all of this into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and a human being. I apologize to the @usopen tournament and all associates for my behavior. I am very grateful to my team and my family for being my rock support, and to my fans for always being with me. Thank you and I am so sorry. This whole situation makes me really sad and empty. I reviewed how the linesman is feeling and based on the information I received, he feels fine thank goodness. I cannot reveal your name to preserve your privacy. I’m so sorry that I caused you so much stress. It was not intentional. It was wrong. I want to turn this unpleasant experience, the disqualification from the tournament, into an important life lesson, to continue growing and developing as a person, but also as a tennis player. I apologize to the organizers of the US Open. I am very grateful to my team and my family for giving me strong support, as well as my fans because they are always with me. Thank you and I’m sorry. This has been a difficult day for everyone.
As Djokovic walked to the Arthur Ashe Stadium band for a change, behind Pablo Carreño Busta 6-5 in the first set, Djokovic, who was seeded and ranked No. 1 and a big favorite for the championship, angrily struck a ball behind him. The ball flew straight towards the linesman, who fell to his knees at the back of the court and stretched towards his neck.
A discussion of around 10 minutes close to the net involving tournament referee Soeren Friemel, Grand Slam supervisor Andreas Egli and chair umpire Aurelie Tourte took place where Djokovic defended his case but to no avail.
These are some of the reactions:
For people who are being tough on Novak right now.
Cold.
It was a mistake. A strange accident. There was no intention. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured.
Everybody makes mistakes. Let it be.
Why do we expect such politically correct answers when we all know it was an accident?
Cold!
– Somdev Devvarman (@SomdevD) September 7, 2020
The craziest part is that if this incident had occurred in any other court besides Ashe or Armstrong, no breach would have occurred as all other courts have electronic calls and no linesman. #Novak Djokovic #United States Open
– Rohan Bopanna (@rohanbopanna) September 6, 2020
Incredible what just happened on the court in the @ United States Open – Novak Djokovic missed for inadvertently but stupidly hitting a line down the throat with a ball and the referees had no choice but to miss. Wow…#sad
I’m glad the woman is okay, we must do better than that.– Martina Navratilova (@Martina) September 6, 2020
Here are my thoughts on the Novak Djokovic flaw.
First I hope the linesman is okay.
The rule is the rule. It’s a shame for everyone involved, but in this specific situation, the default decision was the correct one. #United States Open
– Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 6, 2020
Trade me for the pranksters incident. ‘Accidentally hitting the ball boy in the throat’ for how many years would they ban me?
– Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) September 6, 2020
Meanwhile, American great John McEnroe has said Novak Djokovic will have to get used to being the “bad boy” after his disqualification from the US Open for hitting a linesman with a ball.
“The pressure just got to him. I think a lot has happened off the court, ”McEnroe, who was disqualified in the fourth round of the 1990 Australian Open after receiving three code violations, told ESPN.
“Obviously it has affected him and whether he likes it or not, he will be the bad guy for the rest of his career.
“If he accepts that role, I think he could recover. He has many things going for him, but this is a stain that he will not be able to erase ”, he concluded.
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