Millman's bizarre mid-match wardrobe malfunction

Just as the US Open quarter-final between John Millman and Novak Djokovic started to heat up, a bizarre wardrobe malfunction brought the match to an unexpected halt.

The US Open has been affected by hot and humid weather conditions since it started, and it seemed all too much for the Aussie underdog who was absolutely dripping in the second set.

Millman supposedly couldn’t get the spare ball into the pocket of his drenched shorts, leading to the humorous moment.

‘AWFUL’: Controversy erupts over McEnroe’s treatment of Millman

Millman rushed to the net following the fourth game of the second set to ask for Djokovic’s permission to get changed, and the Serb quickly smiled and obliged.

“I don’t know what to do mate,” Millman said in an exchange at the net.

‘I don’t want to change now Novak, but I just can’t help it.”

The unusual series of events had fans on social media bamboozled, as they tried to piece together what exactly was happening.

The break in play of six and a half minutes saw 13-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic remain on the court as Australia’s Millman – who apologised profusely to Djokovic – disappeared.

“I could with a rest,” said Djokovic.

The US Open has since released a statement regarding the incident, as the chair umpire had deemed the situation within the “Equipment Out of Adjustment” provision.

“At two games all in the second set of the Novak Djokovic-John Millman match, Millman approached the chair umpire to note his excessive sweating and the moisture it was leaving on the court,” the statement read.

“The chair determined that the surface was dangerous enough to invoke the provision in the ITF Duties and Procedures for Officials and allowed Millman to go off court to change clothes/shoes.

BLOW UP: Djokovic’s furious mid-match blow-up at own entourage

“Both players agreed that he should do so.

“Millman was not charged with an official change of attire or bathroom break.”

Djokovic used the break to send a ballboy over to his box in the stands seeking to get some tablets he said his wife had brought to the tournament for him but which had somehow not made it into the bag he took on court.

Djokovic ends Millman’s fairytale run

Djokovic downed Millman 6-3 6-4 6-4 in a drama-charged war of attrition to end the unseeded Australian’s gallant run and reach his 11th semi-final in New York.

With Millman making headlines in Australia for his stirring fourth-round triumph over Roger Federer, even Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch were on hand on Wednesday night to see what all the fuss was about.

The media moguls weren’t disappointed, passionately cheering Millman on from their front-row seats as the Aussie battler dragged Djokovic out of his comfort zone with some incredible retrieving on another steamy night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Just like Federer two nights earlier against Millman, Djokovic looked in distress as Millman toiled valiantly to turn the match into a physical endurance test.

But the 13-times major winner’s class ultimately told, gaining a decisive break in each set to advance to a last-four meeting on Friday with rejuvenated 2014 runner-up Kei Nishikori.

with agencies