Novak Djokovic found himself on the brink of disqualification for the second time in his esteemed Grand Slam career as he narrowly avoided hitting a ball kid in a fit of anger during the Australian Open. The renowned Serbian player was up against Botic van de Zandschulp in the third round.
In a tense moment towards the end of the second set, Djokovic fiercely struck a ball that nearly hit a ball girl positioned near the net. The ball narrowly missed her head by a small margin, raising concerns.
Had the ball made contact with the young girl, umpire John Blom would have had no choice but to disqualify Djokovic, similar to an incident at the 2020 US Open when he hit a line judge with a ball.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Djokovic promptly apologized and resumed the match, eventually securing victory in straight sets as he continues his quest for an 11th Australian Open title.
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash remarked to the BBC about the near-miss incident, emphasizing the potential consequences of Djokovic’s action had the ball struck the ball kid.
Reflecting on the match, Djokovic admitted feeling fortunate to have won in straight sets, noting a challenging moment in the second set where he had to adapt his strategy due to his opponent’s performance.
As Djokovic eyes a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title, he remains cautious about his prospects, having learned from past experiences of early excitement leading to injuries in major tournaments.
Amidst the rise of young talents like Alcaraz and Sinner, Djokovic remains determined to compete at the highest level, recognizing the unpredictability of tennis where every match presents an opportunity for success.
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