Top-seeded Novak Djokovic has issued an apology after he was disqualified from the US Open for hitting an official with a ball and was defaulted from his fourth-round match. On Sunday at the US Open after a tennis ball, Novak Djokovic hit in anger struck a line judge in the neck.
The world No1 had lost a golden chance to win the first set of his match against Pablo Carreño Busta on Sunday As he walked to the Arthur Ashe Stadium sideline for a changeover, trailing Pablo Carreno Busta 6-5 in the first set, angrily smacked a ball behind him. The ball flew right at the line judge, who dropped to her knees at the back of the court and reached for her neck. when he hit a ball in frustration behind him. It struck a lineswoman in the throat, who fell to the ground in pain.
Novak Djokovic who was seeded and ranked No. 1 and an overwhelming favorite for the championship, immediately rushed to help her but after a 10-minute discussion with tournament officials, he defaulted the match and his chance to win his fourth US Open title. After the discussion with chair umpire “Aurelie Tourte”, tournament referee “Soeren Friemel” and Grand Slam supervisor “Andreas Egli”, about 10 minutes near the net, Novak Djokovic appeared to be pleading his case. Eventually, he walked over to shake hands with Carreno Busta. And was announced that Novak Djokovic defaulted, the tennis equivalent of an ejection.
Novak Djokovic did not attend the post-match press conference but issued a statement on Instagram later on Sunday. Novak Djokovic left the tournament grounds without speaking to the media. Late after In an Instagram post, he apologized to the line judge, saying he didn’t intend to hit her and that he is going to “turn all this into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and human being.” Novak Djokovic added to his comment, “As for the disqualification, I need to go back within and work on my disappointment and turn this all into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and human being, “I apologize to the US Open tournament and everyone associated for my behavior. I’m very grateful to my team and family for being my rock support, and my fans for always being there with me. Thank you and I’m so sorry.”
