US Open 2020 should have been a cakewalk for Novak Djokovic in the absence of a few top players but unfortunately that was not the case.
The world number one went 5-6 down in the first set to Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta. Djokovic tried to hit the ball to the ball boy but there was a slight mishit, (we hope) and the ball went quick in the direction of the official.
The ball had hit her on throat and she was gasping. While Djokovic immediately ran to apologize to the official, she had left the court in pain.
After a ten-minute argument, Djokovic was declared disqualified and Busta was declared the winner.
“This whole situation has left me really sad and empty. I checked on the lines person and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling ok. I‘m extremely sorry to have caused her such stress. So unintended. So wrong. I’m not disclosing her name to respect her privacy. As for the disqualification, I need to go back within and work on my disappointment and turn this all into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and human being. I apologize to the US Open tournament and everyone associated for my behavior. I’m very grateful to my team and family for being my rock support, and my fans for always being there with me. Thank you and I’m so sorry,” Djokovic said.
This is Djokovic’s first loss in 2020.
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