Novak Djokovic has apologised for hitting a line judge in the throat with a ball, after initially downplaying the incident that has resulted in disqualification from the US Open.
Having just lost a game to fall behind 6-5 in the opening set of his fourth-round clash against Pablo Carreno Busta, the Serbian pulled out a ball from his pocket and fired in the direction of the lineswoman.
It hit her square in the throat and knocked her to the floor. Djokovic did put his hand out and apologised as medics attended to the woman, but the decision to disqualify him after an unbeaten 2020 was one he clearly took issue processing to begin with.
"She doesn't have to go to the hospital for this," he pleaded with officials.
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"You're going to choose a default in this situation? My career, grand slam, centre stage?
"If she would have gotten up right away..."
Djokovic was chasing his 18th Grand Slam in New York and looked good value to do so with both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer absent from the tournament.
The Serbian has since issued a full apology for his conduct, saying sorry to the line judge and stressing how he will use this situation to grow as a player and a human being.
It seemed it was only a matter of time before Djokovic ended up in a sticky situation by letting the frustrations getting the better of him, having narrowly missed taking someone's head off when he slung his racquet at the French Open four years ago.
Djokovic, who courted controversy when he tested positive for COVID-19 following the not-so-socially-distanced Adria Tour tennis tournament that he helped put together. will lose all ranking points earned at the US Open as well as being fined the prize money won at the tournament.
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