Posted on 09/06/2020 2:51:29 PM PDT by EdnaMode
Novak Djokovic was defaulted in the fourth round of the 2020 US Open on Sunday after hitting a ball in frustration that struck a line judge on the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium. That line judge was hit in the throat and had to be helped off the court after appearing to have trouble breathing.
Djokovic, a 17-time Grand Slam champion, was disqualified from the tournament. Here are some looks at the incident:
The US Open released this statement shortly after Djokovic was defaulted:
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 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 prize money won at the tournament in addition to any or all fines levied with respect to the offending incident.
The default came after several minutes where Djokovic pleaded his case to tournament officials that he did not intend to hit the line judge. It was the second time he hit a ball in frustration after a point in the first set of his match against Pablo Carreño Busta, and this one came after Busta broke his serve at 5-5. Carreño Busta now moves on to the quarterfinals.
After the match, Carreño Busta told reporters he was stunned by what he saw. "I was in shock, I never expected this moment playing against Novak, he said. "When they [were] talking [at] the net, I just tried to be focused in case we had to continue playing ... I needed to be ready in case we had to continue."
(Excerpt) Read more at cbssports.com ...
Now the judges will have to wear helmets and protective gear around their necks, can’t risk that happening again.
Well at least there is some penalty for assaulting a line judge with a projectile. Open season on police though.
Is it necessary to have an uncontrollable temper to be a champion?
Serbic lives matter!!
No need to be acerbic.
After watching the video this looks ridiculously like a classic slip and fall insurance scam in your local supermarket....
Did you see the video? He didn’t even look like he was angry in the least...Just using his racket to send the ball back which I guess the line judge didnt see coming and then the judge took a fall right out of FIFA or the WWE.
Take a fall, collect the cash.
Kramer would have finished the match!
The alternative is dangerous carelessness, which does make me feel a bit better, but that, too, deserves consequences. But you’re right, he wasn’t stomping around in a childish rage. The consequences for that, had that been the case, ought to have been a lot worse.
It did not seem intentional to me. An underhand lob back to the judge; if it was out of frustration and intentional, it would have been overhand and the judge would be in serious straights.
Can somebody help me. The line judges are supposed to be able to maneuver around ball on the court. The space behind the court and below the gallery is a place where balls often go. And the line judges need to avoid them. He was not looking in that direction. Nor did he hit the ball with anywhere near his full strength. So, I am sorry she was injured but I don’t see how its his fault. It was a freak accident. And she should always be watching when the players and balls are on the court. You don’t see it but judges and ball boys are hit all the time.
If he were a non-white tennis player they’d be making excuses for him and wouldn’t disqualify him. We all know how it works these days.
I take that you’re good with Djokovic’s actions ?
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