Djokovic almost hits ball girl with angry Australian Open reaction | Tennis | Sport
Novak Djokovic was forced to apologise to a ball girl after narrowly missing her during his third round showdown with Botic van de Zandschulp. The Serbian hit a wayward shot toward the left of the court after the Dutchman’s backhand was called out during deuce in the second set with the 30-year-old chasing Djokovic’s lead.
The former world number one saw his frustration threaten to boil over as his anger almost got the better of him. The Serbian raised an apologetic hand to the ball girl after his forehand missed them by a whisker at the Rod Laver Arena. Djokovic had marched into a first set lead and raced into a 3-0 lead in the second before a medical timeout was called by Van de Zandschulp.
Following the delay, the Dutchman came out fighting and won back-to-back games, including a break of the Djokovic serve. Despite the Serb taking the next game, the resurgence continued for Van de Zandschulp, who had only complained of shoulder pain minutes earlier.
The world number 75 eventually took game seven in the second set after a mammoth game saw three deuces. Djokovic’s frustration appeared to stem from allowing his opponent back into the contest as he vied for a place in the last-16 and a tame forehand volley saw Van de Zandschulp respond with a superb backhand down the line to move to advantage point.
He didn’t take the game with that opportunity as he hit his effort long and in response saw Djokovic aimlessly fire to narrowly miss the ball girl. The pair went back to their chairs but it allowed much-needed respite for Djokovic, who took the next game to love and won the second set 6-4.
“Wow. That was a very near miss to the ball girl,” remarked Nick Lester on TNT Sports’ commentary of the match. The footage showed a long glare from umpire but to no response from Djokovic.
Tim Henman added: “Oh my goodness. He’s definitely not going to make eye contact with the umpire then.” The Australian Open was heading towards the end of its first week and the penultimate day wasn’t without controversy or talking points.
Sinner appeared to be on the ropes, battling cramp before play was suspended in order to allow the roof to close on the Rod Laver Arena and bring temperatures down from the sweltering 38 degrees celsius. The American was left baffled by the decision but it proved to be game-changing as the world number two capitalised winning the next three sets.
