Sports Desk – On Sunday, a bizarre turn of events saw US Open men’s singles favourite and world number one Novak Djokovic being disqualified from his fourth round match with Pablo Carreno Busta.
Djokovic was becoming frustrated after squandering three set points when Carreno Busta served at 4-5, 0-40, then suffering a fall. Having dropped serve to trail 5-6, he swatted a ball reasonably hard to the back of the court, inadvertently striking a female line judge in her throat.
The decision was taken after Djokovic hit a line judge with the ball that left the official on the floor in considerable pain. As per Grand Slam rules, a player found guilty of physically abusing any “official, opponent, spectator or other person within the precincts of the tournament site” can be disqualified.
Locked in. pic.twitter.com/tZjE8h00Ji
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 6, 2020
For the first time in 16 years, a Grand Slam quarterfinal will not have either of men’s tennis’ ‘Big Three’ comprising Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Between them, the three superstars have won a combined 55 grand slam singles titles thoroughly dominating the field even as the new generation continues to knock on the door.
This whole situation has left me really sad and empty. 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… https://t.co/UL4hWEirWL
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) September 6, 2020
This is why Maria Sharapova is called glamor girl of tennis