Novak Djokovic defaulted from US Open after ball hits linesperson

Matt Davies7 September 2020

Novak Djokovic has been disqualified from the US Open after unintentionally hitting a linesperson with a ball during his fourth-round match with Pablo Carreno Busta.

The world number one was broken in the 11th game to move 5-6 behind, subsequently turning and hitting in the ball in the direction of the line judge in a fit of frustration.

Djokovic was immediately concerned for the lineswoman, who went down in distress after an incident that appeared entirely unintentional.

The tournament supervisor was then called to the court, who held a lengthy conversation with the Serb, before confirming that he had been defaulted.

Djokovic now exits the tournament, with Busta progressing to the quarter-final, where he will play the winner of Denis Shapovalov and David Goffin.

The world number one's exit means this year's US Open will be the first Slam without Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals since the French Open in 2004.

Djokovic, who was a clear favourite to win the US Open, was left highly frustrated after failing to convert three set points, which then grew after landing awkwardly on his shoulder at 0-30 down the following game.

After a short medical break, Djokovic returned to the court, where he was broken to 15. But with Busta set to serve for the set, Djokovic hit out in frustration, leading to his disqualification.

In Pictures | US Open 2020

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Following the incident, the US Open released a statement to explain the decision, with Djokovic set to be fined all prize money won in this year's tournament. Djokovic will face another fine for not attending the post-match press conference.

It read: "In accordance with the Grand Slam rulebook, following his actions of intentionally hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences, the US Open tournament referee defaulted Novak Djokovic from the 2020 US Open.

Because he was defaulted, Djokovic will lose all ranking points earned at the US Open and will be fined the prize money won at the tournament in addition to any or all fines levied with respect to the offending incident."

Busta said: "It was not intentional. I don't think that any of us, the players, do this kind of thing intentionally. It was just the moment, I broke his serve, he threw [hit] the ball. It was bad luck. You cannot do this but, of course, I think that Novak never wanted to hit the line umpire.

He added: "I asked the Colombian guys, who were in the crowd, if the ball hit the line umpire and I was in shock. I never expected this moment playing against Novak so it was a tough moment also for me.

And then when they were talking at the net, I just tried to be focused in the case that we’d have to continue playing. In one moment, I asked the referee what was happening because it was so long to me, this moment. I don’t know it was 10 minutes or 15 minutes but I was a little bit cold.

"So I need to be ready in case I would have to continue. I just asked to him and then finally Novak gave me the hand. And that’s it."

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