After Djokovic disqualification - The tennis world in shock: "Definitely a warning, never to do that"
The disqualification of Novak Djokovic is also causing waves among the players at the US Open. The basic tenor: "No intention, but that's the way the rules are."
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Sep 07, 2020, 08:10 pm
At the latest when Aurelie Tourte, chair referee of the round of 16 duel between Pablo Carreno Busta and Novak Djokovic, uttered the words: "Default, Mister Djokovic", it was clear that this match would make waves. Novak Djokovic, number one in the world, unbeaten in 2020, the big title favorite at the US Open had failed, not athletically, but because of himself.
The greatest profiteer, if you break it down purely from a sporting point of view, goes by the name of Pablo Carreno Busta. The Iberian, who could have taken Djokovic's hurdle with difficulty, who was considered a blatant outsider despite the break lead in set one, suddenly reached the quarter-finals of the US Open. He also sees it as a very unfortunate situation, of course, assured Carreno Busta after his match. "I don't think it was intentional. I don't think any of the players are doing these kinds of things on purpose," said the Spaniard. "The referee and the supervisor did the right thing, but it's not easy to do."
Alexander Zverev is also in that half of the tableau in which the world number one was. Like his possible semi-final opponent, Pablo Carreno Busta, the German also sees it as an unfortunate situation, but the referees, according to Zverev, are just doing their job. "I think he will be a little upset," said the seventh in the world rankings, assessing Djokovic's reaction.
Borna Coric, who can also be found in Djokovic's half, hits the same line. "If it had been five centimeters further to the left, nothing would have happened. I'm sorry. But at the same time, the rules are like that. I think he should have been disqualified," said the Croat.
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Becker visibly touched
TV experts are also reacting to the incident, Boris Becker was visibly touched in the live coverage of Eurosport, saying that he was personally deeply affected because he had worked with the industry leader for a long time. Mats Wilander also assesses the events, like the active players, he sees it as a no-go, regardless of whether it is intended or not. "It hit him harder than he wanted, obviously a complete accident. It was a sign of frustration, yes. A little. But that doesn't matter, he can't do that."
Meanwhile, a man who can actually put himself in the Serbs' mind is Denis Shapovalov. The Canadian himself was disqualified for a similar dropout in a Davis Cup match in 2017, when Shapovalov downright shot down the chair referee. The Canadian is now reacting sympathetically to the Djokovic case: "I've already been through that myself. I feel terrible for Djokovic."
And finally, Naomi Osaka also had a comment on Djokovic's dropouts. The Japanese had only been able to fix her victory over Anett Kontaveit in the early hours of the morning and said after making her way into the quarter-finals: "It's definitely a warning never to do that."