NOVAK DJOKOVIC unintentionally smacked a ball into the face of a line choose on the French Open – only a month after being disqualified from the US Open.
The Serbian world No1 took on Russia’s Karen Khachanov within the fourth spherical at Roland Garros.
Novak Djokovic unintentionally smacked a line choose within the face with a tennis ballCredit score: Eurosport
He tried to return a Karen Khachanov however the ball caught the body and flew off into the court-side chooseCredit score: Eurosport
And there was a shade of deja vu as he struck one of many umpires within the face similar to he did at Flushing Meadows.
Khachanov was serving at 3-4 40-40 within the first set beneath the roof of Court docket Philippe-Chatrier because the rain poured in Paris.
Djokovic may solely handle to get the body of his racket to the shot, sending the ball flying instantly into the close by choose.
And in an unlucky flip of occasions, the ball whacked the road choose flush on the face.
Djokovic instantly apologised and checked on the choose, who held his face momentarily however fortunately was unharmed after the freak accident.
He broke the Russian’s serve in that recreation and held to safe the opening set of the match.
Khachanov did have a look again to the umpire – presumably to test the road choose was okay moderately than cheekily questioning if the highest seed can be disqualified.
Djokovic was famously booted out of the US Open in September after hitting a ball away in frustration and catching Laura Clark within the throat.
He went over instantly to verify the official was unharmedCredit score: AP:Related Press
Djokovic was defaulted from the US Open when he caught a line choose within the throat after hitting a ball away in frustration
The Serbian star caught Laura Clark who collapsed to the bottom and wanted medical considerationCredit score: Getty Photos – Getty
He begged with match officers to maintain him within the US Open however to no availCredit score: AP:Related Press
He pleaded his case however in useless as he was denied his chance to win an 18th Grand Slam title with Pablo Carreno Busta handed the win.
Based on the rulebook, “gamers shall not at any occasions bodily abuse any official, opponent, spectator or different individual inside the precincts of the match website”.
It provides that: “bodily abuse is the unauthorised touching of an official, opponent, spectator or different individual”.
This time, although, they was no frustration of any variety from Djokovic because the ball inadvertently cannoned off his racket as he tried to make the return.
And followers on social media had been fast to touch upon the French Open incident.
One quipped: “Djokovic simply sniped one other line choose.”
One other wrote: “What’s this man obtained towards the facet judges?”
And a 3rd person joked: “He did this on objective. Why are the cops not right here already?”
The accident comes simply days after Djokovic steered tennis wants to maneuver on and use know-how as a substitute of bodily line judges, as was the case on some courts on the US Open.
He mentioned: “The know-how is so superior proper now, there may be completely no cause why it is best to hold line umpires on the courtroom. That is my opinion.
“In fact, I perceive know-how is dear, so it is a cheap situation and a query mark. However I really feel like we’re all transferring in direction of that, and ultimately there is no such thing as a cause to maintain line umpires.
“Ball children, after all, however line umpires, I do not see why any extra, to be sincere.”
He added: “I might additionally in all probability then have much less probabilities to do what I did in New York.”
