US Open 2020: Novak Djokovic disqualified for striking ball at line judge

World tennis No 1, Novak Djokovic, was disqualified from the US Open after hitting a line judge with the ball during his match against Spanish Pablo Carreno Busta,.

Djokovic had dropped his serve and was trailing his opponent Pablo Carreno Busta 6-5 in the opening set of their fourth-round match on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Frustrated, Djokovic hit a ball behind him and it struck a female line judge. After the ball was struck, it was immediately clear that she was hurt and the Serbian rushed over to check on her condition.

https://youtu.be/4MF46cTBL8s

Soeren Friemel, the tournament referee then came out on to the court and spoke to chair umpire Aurelie Tourte and Andreas Egli, the Grand Slam supervisor, before a lengthy discussion between tournament officials and Djokovic.

He pleaded his case at length before accepting his fate, collecting his rackets and walking off the court.

The USTA released a statement following Novak Djokovic’s default which 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.”

Watch the highlights below

The 33-year-old would be fined for not doing his press conference after the incident as he was pictured getting into a black Tesla car and leaving Flushing Meadows.

Djokovic later apologised in a statement on Instagram, saying: “This whole situation has left me really sad and empty. I checked on the linesperson and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling OK.

“I’m extremely sorry to have caused her such stress. So unintended. So wrong. I’m not disclosing her name to respect her privacy.

“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 @usopen 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.”

The incident marks a shocking end to Novak Djokovic’s hopes of winning an 18th Grand Slam title and also climaxed his 26-0 winning run since the start of the year, albeit in bizarre circumstances.

Carreno Busta will now face a quarter-final against Denis Shapovalov after the Canadian produced a fine display to oust seventh seed David Goffin 6-7 (0-7) 6-3 6-4 6-3.

Djokovic’s disqualification means that, for the first time since Marin Cilic won the US Open title in 2014, there will be a new men’s Grand Slam champion.

Second seed Dominic Thiem, a three-time losing major finalist, is now the highest-ranked player remaining.

Fourth Round Results

Top Half

Pablo Carreno-Busta (Spa) bt Novak Djokovic (Ser) (1) 6-5 [Default/Disqualified]

Denis Shapovalov (Can) (12) bt David Goffin (Bel) (7) 6-7 (0-7) 6-3 6-4 6-3

Borna Coric (Cro) (27) bt Jordan Thompson (Aus) 7-5 6-1 6-3

Alexander Zverev (Ger) (5) bt Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (Spa) 6-2 6-2 6-1

Bottom Half

Matteo Berrettini (Ita) (6) vs Andrey Rublev (Rus) (10)

Frances Tiafoe (USA) vs Daniil Medvedev (Rus) (3)

Vasek Pospisil (Can) vs Alex De Minaur (Aus) (21)

Felix Auger-Aliassime (Can) (15) vs Dominic Thiem (Aut) (2)

Related: US Open 2020: Dominic Thiem defeats Marin Cilic as Daniil Medvedev also cruise into the next round, US Open 2020: Serena Williams victorious against Sloane Stephens