Novak Djokovic narrowly escaped disqualification during his fourth-round match against Roman Safiullin at Wimbledon on Sunday afternoon, after he struck the umpire's chair with a ball. The incident occurred in just the third game of the match on Centre Court, drawing a huge gasp from the crowd.
How the Incident Unfolded
Djokovic attempted to knock a ball back to a ball kid kneeling near the umpire's chair, but the ball pinged off the chair instead. The Serbian star must have had his heart in his mouth as the ball veered off target, recalling his 2020 US Open disqualification for hitting a line judge.
Fortunately for Djokovic, no official was struck, and he was not penalized. The match continued without further incident, though the scare was a stark reminder of the consequences of wayward shots.
Djokovic's History with Disqualification
Djokovic was famously defaulted from the 2020 US Open after inadvertently hitting a line judge with a ball, costing him a chance at the title. That incident led to a fine and a suspension of his prize money. At Wimbledon, the stakes were similarly high, but the outcome was different.
According to reports, Djokovic quickly apologized to the umpire and ball kid, and play resumed without any official warning. The match remains ongoing, with Djokovic seeking a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title.
