Novak Djokovic came perilously close to being disqualified and kicked out of the Australian Open on Saturday night after blasting a ball in anger that nearly hit a ball kid. Djokovic let his frustrations boil over in the second set of his third-round clash with Botic van de Zandschulp, which he won 6-3 6-4 7-6 (4).
After hitting a ball out, Djokovic took an angry swipe at it when it returned to him. The 10-time Aus Open champion appeared to be trying to hit the ball at the net, but miscued and nearly collected a ball girl who was stationed near it.
Novak Djokovic (L) almost hit a ball girl with the ball, while Stan Wawrinka’s (R) Australian Open career came to an end after 22 years. Image: Getty/Eurosport
Had Djokovic actually hit the ball kid, officials would have had no choice but to default him. In the end the ball appeared to come just inches away from the ball kid’s head.
“Woah, careful,” said one commentator on Eurosport. “That was almost default. That was so close to a default.”
Djokovic was infamously defaulted at the US Open in 2020 when a ball that he struck in frustration hit a line judge. It was a very similar situation on Saturday night, and the 24-time grand slam champion got extremely lucky he wasn’t kicked out of the tournament.
Djokovic took a medical timeout in the third set and appeared to be struggling physically after turning his ankle. He faced a set point in the third, but saved it and eventually won in straight sets.
Novak Djokovic came within inches of hitting the ball kid. Image: Australian Open/Eurosport
Stan Wawrinka farewells Australian Open after 22 years
It was a night of high emotions and drama as Noami Osaka sensationally quit the tournament and Stan Wawrinka played the final match of his Australian Open career. The 40-year-old Wawrinka announced last month that 2026 will be his last year on tour.
The three-time major winner stunned fans to make the third round, but his run was ended by seventh seed Taylor Fritz on Saturday night. Wawrinka first played the Australian Open in 2004 and won the title in 2014.
Stan Wawrinka bids farewell after his final match at the Australian Open. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
(Darrian Traynor via Getty Images)
“I won my first grand slam here and I’ve always enjoyed being back,” Wawrinka said as he shared a beer with Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley. “I’ve always had so much support and the reason why I was still playing is because of you (the fans), because of the love of the game, the emotion you give me. I’m sad to leave, but it’s been an amazing journey.”
Noami Osaka withdraws before clash with Maddison Inglis
Osaka withdrew from her third-round match against Aussie qualifier Maddison Inglis due to an abdominal injury, It sends Inglis into the fourth round for a stunning $480,000 payday.
“I’ve had to make the difficult decision to withdraw to address something my body needs attention for after my last match,” the 28-year-old Osaka wrote on social media. “I was so excited to keep going and this run meant the most to me, so having to stop here breaks my heart but I can’t risk doing any further damage so I can get back on the court.
“Thanks for all the love and support…I’m so grateful everyone embraced me so much. And thank you to my whole team for always having my back and the tournament organisers for being so kind.”
Inglis will face World No.2 Iga Swiatek in the fourth round. The Polish star overcame a second-set blip to beat 31st seed Anna Kalinskaya 6-1 1-6 6-1.
Maddison Inglis (R) is into the fourth round after Naomi Osaka (L) withdrew from the Australian Open. Image: Getty