Novak Djokovic faced a close call at the Australian Open when he narrowly missed hitting a ball girl with a ball during his match against Botic van de Zandschulp in the third round. This incident almost led to Djokovic being disqualified, reminiscent of his disqualification from the 2020 US Open for hitting a line judge with a ball.
Fortunately, Djokovic apologized for the near-miss and continued the match, eventually winning in straight sets as he pursues his 11th Australian Open title. Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash commented on the incident, highlighting the potential consequences of Djokovic’s actions and noting the speed at which the ball flew past the ball girl.
Reflecting on the match, Djokovic acknowledged his luck in winning in straight sets, attributing part of his success to his opponent’s arm struggles during the game. Despite facing challenges in closing out sets, Djokovic managed to secure the victory and advance in the tournament.
At 38 years old, Djokovic aims to claim his 25th Grand Slam title in what could be his final appearance at the Australian Open. He expressed satisfaction with his performance so far in the tournament but emphasized the need to stay focused and avoid premature excitement, drawing from past experiences of injuries during crucial stages of Grand Slam events.
Looking ahead, Djokovic remains determined to compete with the younger generation of players like Alcaraz and Sinner, acknowledging their current superiority while maintaining confidence in his own abilities on the court.