Novak Djokovic faced a close call at the Australian Open when he narrowly missed hitting a ball kid during his match against Botic van de Zandschulp. In a moment of frustration towards the end of the second set, Djokovic angrily struck a ball that nearly hit a ball girl stationed by the net, avoiding a potential disqualification by mere inches.
Had the ball made contact with the youngster, umpire John Blom would have been required to default Djokovic, similar to an incident at the 2020 US Open when he hit a line judge. Djokovic quickly apologized and continued the match, ultimately winning in straight sets as he pursues an 11th Australian Open title.
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash commented on the incident, noting the speed at which the ball narrowly missed the ball kid and emphasizing that Djokovic seemed unaware of the potential consequences of his action.
Reflecting on the match, Djokovic acknowledged his luck in winning straight sets, attributing his success to adjustments made during the game. He expressed caution about getting too ahead of himself, mentioning past experiences where injuries derailed his performance in Grand Slam tournaments.
At 38 years old, Djokovic is aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title, with this Australian Open likely being one of his final appearances at the tournament. Despite acknowledging the high level of play from younger competitors like Alcaraz and Sinner, Djokovic remains determined to challenge them and continue his competitive presence in the sport.