Djokovic's Tense Moment: A Close Call with Disqualification at Australian Open
Novak Djokovic faced a heart-stopping moment during his third-round victory at the Australian Open, coming perilously close to an instant disqualification. The ten-time champion was competing against Dutch opponent Botic van de Zandschulp when the incident unfolded, threatening to derail his campaign.
A Dangerous Play Sparks Immediate Concern
After securing the first set and building a 3-0 lead in the second, Djokovic's momentum was interrupted. Van de Zandschulp broke back and delivered a stunning passing shot, frustrating the Serbian star. On the following point, after van de Zandschulp sent a shot long, Djokovic reacted by smashing the ball wildly toward the net.
The ball flew directly past the head of a ball girl kneeling nearby, who had no time to react. Had the ball made contact, Djokovic would almost certainly have faced immediate disqualification, a scenario that left commentators and spectators in shock.
Commentators Express Shock and Disbelief
Broadcasters were quick to highlight the severity of the situation. "That was dangerous," remarked Jim Courier on the Nine Network. Colin Fleming, commentating on the world feed, added, "Oh my goodness, it's less than a metre from a default. I'm in a bit of shock ... I was enjoying the battle and it's good fun until someone snaps and Djokovic snapped there."
Djokovic offered a somewhat half-hearted apology to the ball girl, raising his hand in acknowledgment. Chair umpire John Blom also gave the player a stern look and appeared to address him during the change of ends.
Echoes of Past Controversy
This incident evoked memories of Djokovic's infamous disqualification at the 2020 US Open, where he was defaulted for striking a lineswoman with a ball. The Serbian star managed to keep his emotions in check following the scare, eventually winning the second set.
However, the drama continued into the third set when Djokovic took a tumble at the back of the court. He immediately called for a medical timeout to receive treatment on his foot, though he showed little sign of discomfort upon returning.
Battle to Secure Historic Victory
Despite the challenges, Djokovic faced determined resistance from van de Zandschulp, who held set points in the eleventh game. The world number seventy-five could not convert, allowing Djokovic to force a tiebreaker. Even with two surprising double faults in the tiebreaker, Djokovic held his nerve to seal the match in straight sets.
This victory marked a significant milestone, as Djokovic became the first player in history to achieve 400 match wins at the grand slam level. The match underscored both his enduring talent and the tense moments that can define high-stakes tennis.
