DJOKOVIC IS KICKED OUT
NOVAK Djokovic was sensationally defaulted from the US Open last night after petulantly smashing the ball and hitting a female line judge.
The world No1, who was a massive favourite for the tournament, was slung out after lengthy deliberations with tournament officials while playing his fourth round match against Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta.
The Serb had just dropped serve to go 6-5 down against the No 20 seed when he angrily swiped away a ball that appeared to hit the back fence line judge in the throat.
The official keeled over and the rules are quite clear about such abuse of those working on the court: the player has to go. Referee Soeren Friemel was summoned on to court inside the giant, deserted Arthur Ashe Stadium by umpire Aurelie Tourte. He was told, after plenty of debate, that there was no option but to default him from a tournament that has already seen a surfeit of drama.
Djokovic, 33, attempted to plead his case and could be heard arguing his point, all to no avail. ‘She doesn’t have to go to the hospital for this,’ he said as he stood at the net, a shocked look on his face.
‘You’re going to choose a default in this situation?
‘My career, Grand Slam, centre stage?’
Friemel, backed up by senior official Andreas Egli, held firm, even when he added: ‘You have a game penalty, set penalty, many options.’
When he had exhausted his excuses and been informed of the decision he walked over with relative calm over to the Spaniard and shook hands.
This was arguably the most dramatic default since British umpire Gerry Armstrong, now the Wimbledon referee, disqualified John McEnroe from the Australian Open 1990 for verbal abuse.