US Open Men’s Singles top seed Novak Djokovic was disqualified from the tournament after he hit a ball in the direction of a line judge on Sunday. 

The United States Tennis Association issued a statement saying, “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.”

Djokovic expressed remorse on social media platform Instagram and apologised for his behaviour. He also stated that the event had left him sad and empty.

Following his disqualification, former Tennis legends and stalwarts took to Twitter to express their opinion on the issue. 

Tennis legend and 39 Grand Slam title winner Billie Jean King called the event “unfortunate.” However the four-time US Open women’s singles tournament winner added, “The rule is the rule.”

She also expressed her concern about the line judge through her tweet, saying, “I hope the line judge is okay.”

She wrote “Here are my thoughts on the Novak Djokovic default.

First I hope the line judge is okay.

The rule is the rule. It is unfortunate for everyone involved, but in this specific situation the default was the right call.”

Also Read: US Open top seed Novak Djokovic “sad and empty” after being disqualified

Former tennis player and 18-time women’s singles Grand Slam winner Martina Navratilova called the incident “unbelievable.”  The four-time US Open winner wrote, “Novak Djokovic defaulted for inadvertently but stupidly hitting a lineswoman in the throat with a ball and the officials had no choice but to default. Wow…”

Navratilova added, “Glad the woman is ok- we must do better than that.”

Former two-time US Open winner Tracy Austins lauded the decision taken by match referee Friemel and wrote “Right call! Stunning to watch this unfold.”

Expressing her concern for the line judge, the former three-time Gram Slam winner wrote, “Hope lines person ok.” 

She added “Novak Djokovic clear favorite to win 18th GS-shrink margin behind Rafa/Roger. Seems only way ND loses. New 1st time MAJOR champion will be crowned.”

Six-time Grand Slam winner Rennae Stubbs took to Twitter to express her views on the issues. She wrote, “LET ME SAY THIS LOUDLY! Anyone who blames the lines lady for the default of Novak….. STOP!”

Stubbs who won the 2001 Grand Slam Mixed Doubles title, further wrote, “The lady had NOTHING to do with the default! Repeat! Nothing!!! Ok!!!! ITS A RULE! There was NOOOOO WIGGLE ROOM ON THIS! NONE!!”

Also Read: Novak Djokovic disqualified: United States Tennis Association’s statement on the incident

Nicholas Kyrgios, current Rank 40 in the ATP rankings, made light of the situation on Twitter and created an online poll asking fans:

“Swap me for jokers incident. ‘Accidentally hitting the ball kid in the throat’ how many years would I be banned for?”

He provided three options of five years, ten years, and twenty years for the answers.

Djokovic became the third player in Grand Slam history, after John McEnroe and Stefan Koubek, to be disqualified from a men’s singles tournament.