Novak Djokovic faced a close call during his Australian Open match against Botic van de Zandschulp, nearly hitting a ball girl with a furious shot towards the end of the second set. The incident brought back memories of Djokovic’s disqualification from the 2020 US Open for hitting a line judge with a ball. Fortunately, Djokovic narrowly missed the ball girl this time, avoiding disqualification. He proceeded to apologize and went on to win the match in straight sets as he pursues his 11th Australian Open title.
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash commented on the incident, highlighting the potential severity if the ball had struck the ball kid. Djokovic acknowledged his luck in winning the match and reflected on the challenges he faced during the game, emphasizing the importance of staying focused and maintaining composure under pressure.
Despite the incident, Djokovic remains focused on his goal of securing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title, possibly his last appearance at the Australian Open. He expressed satisfaction with his performance so far in the tournament but tempered his enthusiasm, drawing from past experiences of early exits due to injuries. Djokovic acknowledged the rising talent of younger players like Alcaraz and Sinner but affirmed his determination to compete at the highest level and seize opportunities on the court.
As Djokovic progresses in the tournament, his fans eagerly anticipate his performance and his quest for further success on the tennis court.