[ad_1]
World number one Novak Djokovic has been sensationally disqualified in the fourth round of the US Open after hitting a linesman with a ball during the first set of his match against Spain’s Pablo Carreño Busta.
Novak Djokovic checks with the linesman that he struck with a ball during the game that saw him ejected from the US Open in New York.
Photo: AFP
Djokovic was getting frustrated after failing to take the first set and suffering a knockdown and having dropped serve to fall behind 5-6, he hit a reasonably hard ball down the court, hitting a female linesman. .
He immediately apologized and stood next to her before engaging in a lengthy exchange with the tournament referee.
Djokovic refused to do interviews with the media after the disqualification, instead taking to social media to share his version of events.
Novak Djokovic, the world’s number one tennis player, was disqualified from the US Open after accidentally hitting the linesman in the throat with a tennis ball.
Before today, Djokovic was undefeated all year and was the clear favorite to win the tournament.
– Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 6, 2020
By the rules of the game, there is no other option but a default and despite Djokovic’s pleas that he did not intend to hit the referee, he was ultimately disqualified.
Djokovic shook the hand of a stunned Carreño Busta and trudged away to face the music.
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.
It was an incredible ending to the first seed’s hopes of winning an 18th Grand Slam title, something that seemed increasingly likely as the fortnight progressed.
“It’s the right decision,” Tim Henman, who was disqualified from Wimbledon for a similar incident in 1995, told Amazon Prime. “He’s not aiming for the linesman, but he has hit the ball and you have to be responsible for your actions.” .
The Grand Slam rules state: “Players shall not physically abuse at any time any official, opponent, spectator or other person within the venue of the tournament site.
“The referee, in consultation with the Grand Slam chief supervisors, may declare a foul for a single violation of this code.”
USTA Statement on Novak Djokovic’s Non-Compliance: pic.twitter.com/dqlt0mokg9
– US Tennis Open (@Usopen) September 6, 2020
Djokovic was the big favorite to win the men’s singles title at the US Open, which is played behind closed doors and is the first Grand Slam to take place since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Going into the match against 20th seed Carreno Busta, Djokovic had not lost a singles match in 2020.
The 33-year-old was aiming for an 18th Grand Slam win to get closer to rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, who don’t play in New York, in the race to finish with the most major men’s titles of all time.
Former elite player Tracy Austin said on Twitter that it was the right decision.
Correct call! Impressive to see how this plays out. I hope the person is well.@DjokerNole clear favorite to win GS’s 18th margin of reduction behind Rafa / Roger. It seems the only way ND loses. The new MAJOR champion will be crowned for the first time. #crazy
– Tracy Austin (@thetracyaustin) September 6, 2020
It concludes a turbulent weeks for the Serbs. He tested positive for Covid-19 in June after hosting the Adria Tour exhibition tournament in the Balkan region.
Djokovic was criticized for hosting the tournament amid a pandemic after Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki also tested positive after playing in the tournament in Serbia and Croatia.
– Reuters / BBC
[ad_2]
