Novak Djokovic’s 2020 just couldn’t have been worse. Playing in an empty Arthur Ashe court, Novak got a rush of blood and intentionally hit a line judge in the throat with a ball. The incident marked an end to Djokovic’s 29-match winning streak and also put an end to his hopes for an 18th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic, who was obviously disappointed with the incident, voiced what he had learned from it a few days down the line.
“I’m working mentally and emotionally as hard as I am working physically, I’m trying to be the best version of myself on the court and off the court and I understand that I have outbursts and this is kind of the personality and the player that I have always been,’ Djokovic said 8 days after the incident.
“I’m going to take this in as profound as possible for me as a big lesson. I’ve been thinking about it. I’ve been comprehending. I’ve been talking to my team. It’s just one of these things that is just unfortunate and happens. You have to move on. It was totally unexpected and very unintended as well, when you hit a ball like that you have a chance to hit somebody that is on the court. The rules are clear. So I accepted it. I had to move on and that’s what I did,” Djokovic further added.
Djokovic went on to mention that he checked on the lineswoman and was glad to know that she wasn’t seriously injured. While many tennis greats have reacted to the situation, Spanish rival Rafa Nadal has accused the Serb of lacking self control.
“Sorry for him. He had an opportunity there. But in some way you should not be doing this. It’s very unfortunate, very unlucky situation. But it’s important to have the right self-control on the court, because if not, you can be unlucky,” Nadal said talking about the incident.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8a0PFleKm4