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Novak Djokovic urges Sören Friemel not to punish him so harshly. Image: keystone
Referee explains why he had no choice but to disqualify Djokovic
Disqualification at the US Open is one of the most defining moments in the successful career of tennis star Novak Djokovic. He threatens to mask all his triumphs. “He’ll be the bad boy for the rest of his career,” said John McEnroe, himself a bad boy of the sport.
Djokovic hit a ball in anger and hit a linesman on the neck. A scenario for which the main referee was immediately called to the field, the German Sören Friemel. He told reporters:
“What they have explained to me is that Novak Djokovic took the ball out of his pocket, beat it mercilessly and furiously backwards and hit the linesman in the throat. She was obviously hurt, sore, she had to go down. Then I spoke with Novak and gave him the opportunity to express his point of view. But based on the fact that the ball had been hit with fury and recklessness, directly in the throat of the linesman, we made the decision that Novak had to be disqualified. “
That happens:
Video: watson / leb
According to Friemel, Djokovic immediately admitted that he was angry and hit the linesman. According to the head referee, the Serb said: “The facts are very clear, but I didn’t do it on purpose, so I shouldn’t be disqualified for it.”
In such a case, however, intention does not play a role, Friemel explained. It is included, but there are two main factors: the action and the result.
“And the act, even unintentionally, with the result of the linesman being beaten and injured is the essential factor in this decision-making process. If he had done it on purpose, we wouldn’t have had this long discussion either. But that’s how we wanted to take it all into account. “
The debate lasts a few minutes, but the case is clear. Image: keystone
The fact that the world’s No. 1 is disqualified on the biggest stage in world tennis makes this case so special. Sören Friemel emphasizes, however, that he has to decide regardless of a player’s status:
“Disqualifying a player in a Grand Slam is a very important and very difficult decision. So it doesn’t matter which seat it happens in and whether it’s number 1 or another player. You have to make the right decision. Everyone on the field knew what was at stake. But we must not let that influence us. “
Djokovic had tried in discussions on the pitch to convince the referees to punish him less harshly. The linesman is doing well so far. “You don’t have to go to the hospital. Do you follow standard procedure in this situation? The 33-year-old asked pleadingly. «My career, Grand Slam, Center court? If he had gotten up again immediately, they could have given me a game or a penalty sentence, you have several options. “Djokovic’s requests were to no avail. (RAM)
