Novak Djokovic, World No 1, was disqualified from the US Open 2020 after he inadvertently hit a ball in the direction of a line judge. The incident happened in the fourth round of the men’s singles tournament. Following the incident, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) released an official statement regarding the matter.

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“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,” the USTA statement read.

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“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 statement added.

Since the Serbian was disqualified, his opponent, Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta, moved entered the quarterfinals.

Djokovic became the only third player in Grand Slam history to be disqualified out of a men’s singles tournament. John McEnroe was disqualified at the Australian Open in 1990 and Stefan Koubek at the French Open in 2000.

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Djokovic had been chasing an 18th Grand Slam title at the Billie Jean King US National Tennis Center.

He was hoping to close the gap on Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, both absent from the tournament, in the race for the all-time men’s Slam singles title record.

Djokovic is on 17, with Nadal on 19 and Federer on 20.