Djokovic Nearly Disqualified from Australian Open for Ballgirl Incident
Novak Djokovic faced a tense moment during his third-round match at the Australian Open, nearly facing disqualification due to an unintended incident. While leading against Botic van de Zandschulp, Djokovic struck a tennis ball towards a ballgirl, coming alarmingly close to her.
Context of the Incident
This incident is reminiscent of Djokovic’s previous default at the 2020 US Open, where he accidentally hit a line judge with a ball. On this occasion, he narrowly avoided a similar fate, drawing the scrutiny of chair umpire John Blom, who expressed concern over his actions.
Grand Slam Regulations
According to the grand slam rules, players are prohibited from hitting or throwing balls dangerously. The rules specifically state that players must not act with anger when handling balls, which could lead to penalties including disqualification.
Djokovic’s History
- Djokovic was defaulted at the 2020 US Open for hitting a line judge.
- He has won the Australian Open ten times.
- The Serbian player is pursuing a record 24 grand slam titles.
Conclusion
Despite the close call, Djokovic managed to continue his quest for another Australian Open title. His actions serve as a reminder of the importance of sportsmanship and adherence to tournament regulations.
