Novak Djokovic has issued a public apology after he nearly struck a ball girl with the ball in frustration at the Australian Open on Saturday night. But the 10-time champion is still likely to face a fine of at least $10,000 for the ugly moment.
Djokovic cut a frustrated figure during the second set against Botic van de Zandschulp in their third-round clash. Despite winning a long rally when van de Zandschulp hit the ball long, Djokovic lashed out in anger and smashed the ball towards the net.
Novak Djokovic would have been disqualified if the ball had struck the ball girl. Image: Channel 9/Australian Open
The Serbian star appeared to be trying to hit the ball into the net, but it missed the net and went perilously close to hitting a ball girl in the head. The ball appeared to miss the girl – who was stationed near the net – by mere inches.
Had the ball connected with the girl, officials would have had no choice but to disqualify him. It was strikingly similar to when Djokovic was defaulted at the US Open in 2020 when he accidentally hit a line judge with a ball that he’d hit in frustration after the point had finished.
“That was dangerous. That went right over the top of her head,” Jim Courier said on Channel 9. Colin Fleming said on Stan Sport: “Careful, that was almost default. That was so close to a default.”
Chair umpire John Blom didn’t actually give Novak Djokovic a code violation. Image: Channel 9
Novak Djokovic apologises over ball kid incident
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Djokovic offered an unreserved apology. “That was not necessary and in the heat of the moment,” he told reporters. “I was lucky there and I’m sorry for causing any distress to the ball kid or anybody.”
Chair umpire John Blom gave Djokovic a long look after the incident, but didn’t hit him with a code violation. Nevertheless, it’s likely Australian Open officials will hit Djokovic with a monetary punishment for equipment abuse.
Grand slam rules state: “Players shall not violently, dangerously or with anger hit, kick or throw a tennis ball within the precincts of the tournament site except in the reasonable pursuit of a point during a match (including warm-up). For the purposes of this rule, abuse of balls is defined as intentionally hitting a ball out of the enclosure of the court, hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences.”
Djokovic’s actions clearly fall under this rule, and the punishment can be up to $50,000. It’s more likely he’ll cop a $10,000 fine, which is the same as what Stefanos Tsitsipas received at Wimbledon in 2022 when he nearly hit a spectator with a ball he hit in anger.