Djokovic slammed over ‘violent’ and controversial Australian Open act | Tennis | Sport

Former Grand Slam champion Justine Henin believes Novak Djokovic was fortunate to escape disqualification at the Australian Open after a “violent gesture” almost led to him hitting a ball girl. The Serb narrowly missed the child after wacking a ball in her direction during Saturday’s 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) win over Botic van de Zandschulp.

The incident occurred at 6-3, 4-2 in the second set with world No.75 Van de Zandschulp serving. Djokovic smashed a ball in anger after a point, and came close to hitting a ball girl at the side of the net.

Saturday’s incident brought back memories of when Djokovic was defaulted for accidentally hitting a line judge in the throat during a fourth-round match at the 2020 US Open. The former world No.1 would almost certainly have faced the same fate in Australia this weekend if the ball he hit had connected with the ball girl on Rod Laver Arena.

And seven-time Grand Slam champion Henin has explained to Eurosport why, in her view, the gesture in Melbourne on Saturday was more violent than what he did in New York – even if the outcome was very different.

She said: “It’s still crazy after what happened to him at the US Open. He’s played a lot of matches since his disqualification at the 2020 US Open, but it’s certainly still in the back of his mind.

“But at the same time, when you’re caught up in the moment, the emotions… You can feel them overflowing in Djokovic. He’d been trying to contain it for a few games. It came out, and he was lucky, very lucky, in that situation.

“We immediately saw the umpire look at him and try to talk to him. It was impossible; Djokovic wasn’t going to look at him at that moment.

“I don’t even know if Novak responded to him during their change of ends. This gesture is more violent than the one at the US Open, yes.”

Asked about the incident in his post-match press conference – Djokovic apologised to the ball kid. He said: “Yeah, I apologised for that.

“That was not necessary and in the heat of the moment. Yeah, I was lucky there, and I’m sorry for causing any distress to the ball kid or anybody.”

Djokovic will face 16th seed Jakub Mensik in the fourth round on Monday as his bid for an 11th Aussie Open crown continues.