Novak Djokovic Defaulted From U.S. Open After Hitting Line Judge With Ball

No. 1 seed Novak Djokovic was forced to default from the U.S. Open on Sunday after hitting a line official with a tennis ball during his Round of 16 match. 

The incident occurred after Djokovic smacked a ball back toward the sideline, inadvertently hitting a lineswoman in the neck and causing her to fall to her knees. Djokovic immediately walked over to the woman and attempted to plead his case with officials about the accident, but the world top-ranked tennis player was ruled out for the rest of the tournament. 

"This whole situation has left me really sad and empty," Djokovic wrote on Instagram following the match. "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."

Djokovic had just dropped a game in the first set against No. 20 seed Pablo Carreño Busta in the Round of 16 when he hit the ball out of frustration. Entering the U.S. Open, Djokovic was 26–0 on the year and competing for his 18th Grand Slam title. 

According to the U.S. Tennis Association, Djokovic will lose all ranking points earned at the U.S. Open and will be fined the prize money won at the tournament in addition to any additional fines. The USTA also referenced the Grand Slam rulebook, stating Djokovic had intentions of "hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences."

On Sunday evening, Djokovic took to social media to apologize for his actions and behavior.

"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," Djokovic wrote. "I apologize to the U.S. Open 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." 

Djokovic tested positive for COVID-19 in June after participating in a tennis exhibition tournament. He confirmed in August that he would participate in the U.S. Open after originally complaining about the U.S. Tennis Association’s plans to try to protect people from the coronavirus pandemic, with such measures as limiting the size of players’ entourages.

Djokovic's exit confirms that the 2020 U.S. Open champion will be a first-time Grand Slam singles winner, a feat that last occurred in 2014.