Djokovic's Close Call! Was He About to Be Kicked Out?!

Novak Djokovic, chasing his unprecedented eleventh Australian Open title, narrowly avoided a disqualification scare during his third-round match against Botic van de Zandschulp. The incident, a stark reminder of his infamous US Open default in 2020, left spectators holding their breath and Djokovic himself issuing a swift apology. It's a funny thing, seeing a champion on the edge like that – it reminds you they're human, even if they often seem anything but on the court.

Djokovic's Close Call! Was He About to Be Kicked O...

The world number one secured a straight-sets victory (6-3, 6-3, 7-6), marking his 400th Grand Slam win, but the match was overshadowed by a moment of potential disaster. Frustrated after a point, Djokovic casually swatted a ball away with his forehand, and it hurtled towards a ball girl crouching near the net post. Luckily, she ducked just in time, avoiding what could have been a very different headline.

"I apologised for that. That was not necessary, and it was in the heat of the moment," Djokovic admitted after the match. "I was lucky there, and I'm sorry for causing any distress to the ball kid or anybody." It's good to hear the immediate remorse, but it does raise the question: how many close calls are too many before you really address the root of the problem?

The Grand Slam rulebook is clear: "hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences" can result in a default. While the situation differed from the US Open, where Djokovic intentionally hit a ball that struck a line judge, the potential for injury was undeniably present. Tournament referee Wayne McKewen would have had grounds to take action had the ball connected, according to tournament rules.

Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash, analyzing the match for BBC Radio 5 Live, didn't mince words. "I don't even think he knew the ball kid was there," Cash said. "But it was three inches from getting defaulted. He's hit that in an area where nine times out of 10 is probably a default." It’s that razor-thin margin between continued dominance and abrupt exit that makes these moments so compelling, so… human.

Djokovic also took an awkward tumble during the third set and received treatment for a blister on his right foot. Combine that with the near-default, and it wasn’t exactly a smooth path to the fourth round. It begs the question: is the pressure of chasing more records getting to him? Or is it simply a string of unfortunate incidents? Regardless, he'll need to keep his cool, and his errant forehands in check, if he wants to secure that record-extending 11th Australian Open title.

He did ultimately manage to secure the victory, and without dropping a set thus far, but you can't help but wonder if the incident will linger in his mind – and in the minds of the officials – as the tournament progresses. He's proven time and again that he's a master of overcoming adversity, but self-inflicted wounds are the hardest to heal. Only time will tell if he's truly learned from the past.