Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his third round match against Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Novak Djokovic came perilously close to being disqualified during his Australian Open third round match against Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp as he lost his cool and smashed a ball in anger that nearly hit a ball kid.
Djokovic was control of the match and his opponent appeared to be close to retiring from the match as he struggled with a shoulder problem in the second set.
Yet Van de Zandschulp recovered and was fighting his way back into contention when Djokovic lost his composure.
After his opponent missed his shot, Djokovic lashed out and smashed the ball in anger that flew past the ball kid at the net at high speed.
If the ball had taken a slightly different path, Djokovic would have almost certainly have been thrown out of a second Grand Slam of his career.
Djokovic held his hands up, saying: “I apologise for that. That was not necessary and in the heat of the moment. I was lucky there, and I’m sorry for causing any distress to the ball kid or anybody.”
Djokovic infamously hit a linesperson at the 2020 US Open and it seems that incident has not taught him a lesson and this incident in Melbourne could have been a repeat almost six years later.
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“Oh my goodness,” said former British No 1 Tim Henman as he watch the incident unfold in his role as a TNT Sports correspondent.
Commentator Nick Lester and Henman then suggested Djokovic would not be making eye contact with the chair umpire after a near miss that could have ended what may be his final attempt to win an 11th Australian Open title.
Djokovic eventually found a way to get through in straight sets, but he is fortunate to be looking forward to a fourth round match after his latest outburst.