Novak Djokovic found himself perilously close to receiving the second default of his professional tennis career during a tense moment at the Australian Open. The Serbian superstar came within mere centimetres of striking a ball girl with a powerfully struck ball, narrowly avoiding what could have been a serious incident and potential tournament expulsion.
A Moment of High Tension on Court
During the latter stages of the second set in his third-round encounter against Dutch opponent Botic van de Zandschulp, Djokovic's frustration boiled over. In a moment of visible anger, the world-class player lashed at a ball with considerable force, sending it flying dangerously toward the net post area.
The ball travelled directly toward a ball girl who was crouched beside the net post, missing her head by what eyewitnesses described as a whisker. Had the ball made contact, chair umpire John Blom would have faced no alternative but to disqualify Djokovic from the tournament under tennis's strict rules regarding player conduct.
Echoes of Previous Controversy
This incident bore striking similarities to Djokovic's 2020 US Open default, where he was disqualified after accidentally striking a line judge with a ball. The comparison between these two events highlights what many observers consider a peculiar aspect of tennis regulations: the rules appear to penalise outcomes rather than intent or dangerous actions.
What makes the Melbourne incident particularly noteworthy is that Djokovic's action was arguably more dangerous than his New York offence. The ball was struck with significantly greater force and velocity, creating genuine potential for serious injury to the ball girl - a risk that was largely absent in the previous incident involving a line judge.
Match Context and Aftermath
Following the near-miss, Djokovic offered what spectators described as a cursory apology before continuing with the match. The second half of the encounter became increasingly bad-tempered as the Serbian champion began experiencing physical discomfort, including issues with his right ankle and painful blisters on his feet.
Despite these challenges and the tense atmosphere, Djokovic maintained his competitive edge. At the time of reporting, he held a two-set advantage and was locked at 3-3 in the third set, continuing his pursuit of an unprecedented 11th Australian Open title.
Rulebook Scrutiny Intensifies
The incident has reignited debate about tennis's disciplinary framework, particularly regarding how officials handle moments of player frustration that endanger others. The narrow escape raises questions about whether current regulations adequately address potentially dangerous behaviour regardless of actual contact.
Social media reaction was swift, with the video clip circulating widely and prompting discussion about player conduct standards in high-pressure tournament situations. The incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly moments of frustration can escalate into serious disciplinary situations at the highest levels of professional tennis.
