Novak Djokovic narrowly avoided disqualification at the Australian Open for almost hitting a ball kid with a ball during his match against Botic van de Zandschulp. The incident occurred towards the end of the second set when Djokovic angrily struck a ball that narrowly missed the ball girl near the net.
If the ball had hit the youngster, umpire John Blom would have been required to disqualify Djokovic, similar to an incident at the 2020 US Open where he struck a line judge with a ball. Djokovic, realizing the seriousness of the situation, apologized and continued the match, eventually winning in straight sets as he pursues his 11th Australian Open title.
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash commented on the incident, highlighting the potential consequences of Djokovic’s actions and how close he was to being disqualified. Djokovic himself acknowledged his luck in winning the match in straight sets and shared insights into the challenges he faced during the game.
At 38 years old, Djokovic aims to secure his 25th Grand Slam title, a record-extending achievement, in what could be his final appearance at the Australian Open. Reflecting on his performance, Djokovic expressed satisfaction with his tournament start while remaining cautious about staying focused and avoiding premature excitement to prevent potential injuries. He also acknowledged the high level of play from younger competitors like Alcaraz and Sinner but emphasized the unpredictable nature of tennis matches, where anything can happen once the game begins.