Novak Djokovic defaulted from US Open after hitting line judge in throat

SJ Lynn

Novak Djokovic defaulted from US Open after hitting line judge in throat image

Novak Djokovic defaulted to Pablo Carreno Busta on Sunday during their Round of 16 match at the U.S. Open after unintentionally hitting a line judge with a ball.

After losing his serve, the world No. 1 hit a ball in anger and struck the official in the throat.

Djokovic did not strike the ball hard or deliberately, but he was clearly frustrated. The line judge shouted out in pain and fell down.

US OPEN SCHEDULE  2020: TV coverage, channels & more to watch every match in tennis Grand Slam

Djokovic's expression after the ball hit the woman made it appear unintentional.

After realizing the situation, Djokovic had a long conversation with a tournament official and pleaded his case as the line judge was taken out for medical treatment.

It was soon decided that Djokovic would be disqualified and would have to wait to obtain his 18th career Grand Slam title.

The United States Tennis Association later released a statement that 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."

Djokovic posted a lengthy Instagram message on Sunday night apologizing for his actions.

"This whole situation has left me really sad and empty," Djokovic wrote. "I checked on the lines person 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."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This whole situation has left me really sad and empty. I checked on the lines person 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. Cela ova situacija me čini zaista tužnim i praznim. Proverio sam kako se oseća linijski sudija, i prema informacijama koje sam dobio, oseća se dobro, hvala Bogu. Njeno ime ne mogu da otkrijem zbog očuvanja njene privatnosti. Jako mi je žao što sam joj naneo takav stres. Nije bilo namerno. Bilo je pogrešno. Želim da ovo neprijatno iskustvo, diskvalifikaciju sa turnira, pretvorim u važnu životnu lekciju, kako bih nastavio da rastem i razvijam se kao čovek, ali i teniser. Izvinjavam se organizatorima US Opena. Veoma sam zahvalan svom timu i porodici što mi pružaju snažnu podršku, kao i mojim navijačima jer su uvek uz mene. Hvala vam i žao mi je. Bio je ovo težak dan za sve.

A post shared by Novak Djokovic (@djokernole) on

Not long after the match was called, ESPN showed video of Djokovic getting into a car and leaving the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. By not addressing the media, he faces a $20,000 fine per the 2020 Official Grand Slam Rule Book.

The year 2020 has been weird — and it keeps getting weirder.

SJ Lynn

SJ Lynn is a social media editor and in-studio host for Sporting News.