Novak Djokovic faced a close call at the Australian Open when he almost hit a ball kid in a fit of anger 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 by a few inches.
Had the ball made contact with the young girl, umpire John Blom would have been forced to disqualify Djokovic, similar to an incident in the 2020 US Open where he hit a line judge. Despite the scare, Djokovic 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 action. Djokovic later admitted that he was fortunate to have won the match without dropping a set, acknowledging the challenges he faced during the game.
At 38 years old, Djokovic is aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title, a remarkable achievement in his tennis career. Reflecting on his performance, Djokovic expressed satisfaction with his current form but remained cautious about staying focused and avoiding early excitement in tournaments, learning from past experiences. He also acknowledged the rising talents of younger players like Alcaraz and Sinner but emphasized the unpredictability of tennis matches, stating that anyone on the court always has a chance to win.