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Novak Djokovic Hits Line Umpire with Tennis Ball

Novak Djokovic apologizes after defaulting US Open match for hitting line umpire with ball

In a statement, the USTA said, "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 U.S. Open tournament referee defaulted Novak Djokovic from the 2020 U.S. Open."

Djokovic apologized for the incident Sunday evening on social media.

"This whole situation has left me really sad and empty. I checked on the lines person and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling ok. I'm extremely sorry to have caused her such stress. So unintended. So wrong," he wrote.