Novak Djokovic kicked out of US Open after line judge 'disgrace'
Top-seeded Novak Djokovic has been disqualified from his fourth-round match at the US Open after he hit a line judge in the throat with a ball, in an incident that has left the tennis world incensed.
It was a shocking end to Djokovic’s bid for an 18th Grand Slam title and a crazy way for his undefeated start to the season to come to an end.
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Djokovic had just lost one game to his opponent, Pablo Carreno Busta, to fall behind 6-5 in the opening set.
As he walked to the sideline for the changeover, Djokovic smacked a ball behind him. The ball hit a female line judge, who dropped to her knees at the back of the court and reached for her neck.
After a discussion of several minutes with officials on court, including tournament referee Soeren Friemel, Djokovic walked over to shake hands with Carreno Busta.
Chair umpire Aurelie Tourte then announced that Djokovic had been defaulted and the match was over.
Fans were quick to condemn the World No.1 over the shocking incident.
Novak Djokovic just got disqualified from the US open for hitting a line judge in the neck.
😂😂😂 wtf pic.twitter.com/PLTgDwzZ0w— SAVAGE BOSTON🍀 (@SavageBoston) September 6, 2020
Crazy situation at the US Open — Novak Djokovic is broken at 5-5 and hits a ball in anger, the ball hits a line judge, she collapses with hacking breathing and Djokovic has been forced to default. Shocking #USOpen
— Luke Baker (@BakerLuke) September 6, 2020
Djokovic is a disgrace to Tennis. From his Adria Tour debacle and now this, a shame he is the one currently at the top of the rankings in men’s tennis. https://t.co/CxuRHDXCr9
— Leo Cullis (@cullis_leo) September 6, 2020
Djokovic a disgrace. 2020 showing his true character @Kiks_1988
— Pete O'Toole (@potjnr) September 6, 2020
Couldn't agree more - can't believe there was a discussion as to whether he would be disqualified!
— Kirsty Nicoll (@Kiks_1988) September 6, 2020
The silent D in Djokovic stands for disgrace. #USOpen
— Ritvik Chauhan (@ChauhanRitvik) September 6, 2020
Djokovic is a disgrace by the way, he has been doing this stuff for years and he has finally been punished severely for it.
— Adam (@MagiicMo) September 6, 2020
Djokovic exit paves way for first time champion
It seemed clear Djokovic did not intend to hit the line judge; there was concern written on his face as soon as he realised what happened. But players who hit a ball out of anger and make contact with an on-court official have been defaulted in the past.
Djokovic’s mood had soured over the preceding few minutes. In the prior game, he wasted three consecutive break points and after the last, which Carreno Busta won with a drop shot, Djokovic whacked a ball off a courtside advertising sign.
Then, on the second point of what would become the last game at this year’s US Open for Djokovic, he stumbled while chasing a shot and fell to the ground, clutching his left shoulder.
Play was delayed for a few minutes while a trainer checked that shoulder.
On the second point after they resumed, Carreno Busta hit a passing winner to break Djokovic’s serve. That’s when Djokovic got himself into trouble.
His departure means there is no one remaining in the men’s field who has previously won a grand slam singles title.
Whoever emerges as champion will be the first first-time major trophy winner in men’s tennis since 2014, when Marin Cilic won the US Open.
with Yahoo Sport staff
