World No.1 Novak Djokovic has sensationally been kicked out of the US Open, after hitting a lineswoman with the ball during the first set of his Round of 16 match in New York.
The clear favourite to win his 18th Grand Slam title had just dropped serve to Spanish rival Pablo Carreno Busta to trail 6-5, when he hit his second ball back over the baseline in frustration.
The ball hit the female line caller in the throat and she collapsed to the ground, choking for breath. She was immediately attended by fellow officials and Djokovic, and eventually escorted off the court.
After a long conversation with the umpire and US Open referee, Djokovic was informed he had been defaulted, presenting Carreno Busta easy passage through to the quarter-finals.
"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," says the US Tennis Association.
"Because he was defaulted, Djokovic will lose all ranking points earned at the US Open and will be fined the prizemoney won at the tournament in addition to any or all fines levied with respect to the offending incident."
The Serb was the only Grand Slam champion still in the draw, so whoever takes out the US Open will now become a first-time winner on tennis' biggest stage.
"It's the right decision," former British No.1 Tim Henman has told Amazon Prime. "He is not aiming for the line judge, but has hit the ball away and you have to be responsible for your actions."
Henman was disqualified from Wimbledon for a similar incident in 1995.
Analysing the action for Eurosport, former champion Mats Wilander says Djokovic was very unlucky, but it was the correct decision.
"You are not allowed to do that," he says. "It's as much bad luck as you can have on a tennis court.
"He didn't just roll the ball back to the ball kid, that's the bottom line. He hit it harder than he intended to, obviously a complete accident.
"It was a sign of frustration - yes, a little bit - but it doesn't matter, you are not allowed to do it."
Others in the US Open draw are reeling from the bombshell,
"I'm a little bit in shock right now, to be honest," German Alexander Zverev says, after his own fourth-round win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
"If he would have hit it anywhere else, if it would have landed anywhere else, we are talking about a few inches, he would have been fine."
Leading up to the incident, Djokovic had struggled to get on top of his younger opponent, failing to capitalise on four break points. He needed a medical timeout, after landing awkwardly on his wrist and shoulder during one rally.
Djokovic had earlier smashed a ball into the wall around the Arthur Ashe Stadium court, so tension was running high.
One of the most popular players on the world tour, his reputation has taken a hit this year, after Djokovic flouted COVID-19 social distancing rules to organise the Adria Tour. Several players, coaches and wives tested positive, including Djokovic himself, and he later apologised.
Last month, he resigned from the ATP players council and formed the breakaway Professional Tennis Players Association to promote the interests of male tennis players ranked above 500 in singles and 200 in doubles.
The tournament is already being staged under dramatic circumstances, with the pandemic forcing many of the world's top players to stay away from Flushing Meadows, seemingly gifting Djokovic a free ride to his fourth US Open crown.
The coronavirus has seen lead-up tournaments played to empty stands and without line umpires. No spectators are allowed to attend the US Open.
Twentieth seed Carreno Busta will now meet the winner between Canadian Denis Shapovalov and Belgin David Goffin.
Reuters/Newshub
