Novak Djokovic Apologizes After Being Disqualified From US Open

On September 6, Novak Djokovic, the No. 1 men's player was disqualified when during the fourth round of the U.S. Open, he got angry and accidentally hit a lineswoman with a ball. After the day’s events, the 33-year-old tennis star took to Instagram to pen a public apology for his actions on Sunday.

"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," he wrote in his post.

"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," the player further added. "I apologize to the @usopen tournament and everyone associated for my behaviour. 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.”

During the match in which the above-mentioned incident happened, the Djokovic had also fallen to the ground after he chased a shot and was seen clutching his left shoulder in pain. After that, the player walked to the sideline for the changeover in obvious frustration and launched the ball behind him, unknowingly in the umpire’s direction.

Djokovic was expected to secure a major win in the men's singles tournament but his actions, no matter how unintentional, pushed the United States Tennis Association to disqualify him.

"In accordance with the Grand Slam rulebook, following his actions of intentionally hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences, the US Open tournament referee defaulted Novak Djokovic from the 2020 US Open. Because he was defaulted, Djokovic will lose all ranking points earned at the US Open and will be fined the prize money won at the tournament in addition to any or all fines levied with respect to the offending incident," the United States Tennis Association said in a statement.