Novak Djokovic defaulted from US Open after hitting line judge with ball

[Alan Stallion]

To DQ the number one seed in a major championship over an innocent, inadvertent micro-outburst was just poor judgment. The rule addresses INTENTIONAL harmful actions, and this was clearly not that.

The USTA's statement: "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."

It's the same thing that disqualified Denis Shapovalov three years ago during Davis Cup when he nailed the chair umpire with a ball he struck out of anger. British favorite Tim Henman got defaulted at his home tourney (Wimbledon) for hitting a ball kid with an errant ball. Can't show favoritism just because Djokovic is the #1 seed and favorite to win the tournament.

Minutes earlier in the match after blowing three set points at 4-5 on Carreno Busta's serve, he smashed a ball in anger against the side boards. Could have easily hit the nearby ball kids or cameramen. He was playing with fire. Gotta control your emotions.