Djokovic disqualified from US Open after accidental hit of line judge

Novak Djokovic, Serbian tennis player and world number one, has been disqualified from the US Open by default during the fourth-round match at the Flushing Meadows in New York.

The decision was taken on Sunday night by Aurelie Tourte, the chair umpire, after Djokovic, the top seed at the tournament, accidentally hit a ball at a line judge in a fit of anger.

After dropping his serve to trail 6-5 in the first set in the match against Pablo Carreño Busta, a clearly infuriated Djokovic took the ball from his pocket and smashed it down the court before it hit the female line judge in the throat.

Here's what happened at the @usopen to see Novak Djokovic disqualified. #Djokovic pic.twitter.com/LStCaI9ShO

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— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) September 6, 2020

She then went to the ground in pains after which the Serbian tennis star rushed to check her condition.

A lengthy yet tensed discussion ensued between tournament officials and the three-time champion before the chair umpire announced the default.

Busta, the 20th seed from Spain, also advanced to the quarterfinals with the default.

Djokovic was aiming for an 18th Grand Slam title to move closer to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, his rivals, in the race to finish with the most men’s major titles of all-time.

USTA statement on default of Novak Djokovic: pic.twitter.com/dqlt0mokg9

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 6, 2020

This is not the first time the 34-year-old will be hitting the ball in anger.

The Serb narrowly missed a line judge in similar frustration at the French Open against Tomas Berdych fin 2016 but was only warned.