Tennis
WORLD NUMBER 1 PLAYER, DJOKOVIC DISQUALIFIED FROM US OPEN
BY NEIL SHEFFERD
World number one Novak Djokovic was disqualified from the US Open after hitting a line judge with a ball during his round of 16 match against Pablo Carreno-Busta.
The men’s top seed hit a ball in frustration after his serve was broken during the match against Carreno-Busta, the 20th seed from Spain, to put him 6-5 down.
It struck a line judge in the throat and after a discussion officials defaulted the Serbian.
The dramatic sequence of events on day seven at Flushing Meadows in New York started at five games all in the first set when at 0-30 Djokovic fell heavily on his shoulder.
After lengthy treatment the world number one found himself three break points down.
Novak Djokovic was disqualified from the US Open after hitting a line judge with a ball during his match against Pablo Carreno-Busta
After saving the first break point, Djokovic’s serve was broken.
In anger, he hit a ball which struck a line judge, who fell to the floor.
Officials were then involved in a lengthy discussion with Djokovic.
Television broadcasts picked up Djokovic saying “you told me you have a choice” and “you have a game penalty, set penalty, many options” during the exchange with officials which lasted for several minutes.
Djokovic did not give a media conference immediately after the match but later issued a statement on social media in which he said the episode had left him “sad and empty.”
“This whole situation has left me really sad and empty,” said Djokovic.
“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. I’m not disclosing her name to respect her privacy.
“As for the disqualification, I need to go back within and work on my disappointment and turn this all into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and human being.
“I apologise to the US Open and everyone associated for my behaviour.
“I’m very grateful to my team and family for being my rock support, and my fans for always being there with me. Thank you and I’m so sorry.”
In a statement the United States Tennis Association 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 US Open tournament referee defaulted Novak Djokovic from the 2020 US Open.
“Because he was defaulted, Djokovic will lose all ranking points earned at the US Open and he will be fined the prize money won at the tournament in addition to any or all fines levied with respect to the offending incident.”
Djokovic’s default means there will be a new champion in the men’s singles competition at Flushing Meadows in a week’s time.
During a media conference following the match Carreno-Busta said he did not see the incident because he was looking in the direction of his coach at the time.
He said once he found out what had happened he was “shocked.”
He described the incident as “unfortunate” but said “the rules are the rules and the referee and supervisor did the right thing.”
-insidethegames
Naomi Osaka has parted ways with coach Wim Fissette after four years together across two stints, the 26-year-old announced late on Friday.
The former world number one won two of her four Grand Slam titles under the guidance of the Belgian, but is currently 75th in the rankings having returned to the tour nine months ago after a lengthy maternity break.
“Four years, two slams and a whole lot of memories,” Osaka wrote in an Instagram post.
“Thanks Wim for being a great coach and an even greater person. Wishing you all the best.”
Of the 16 tournaments Osaka has played this season, she has made the quarter-finals in only two – Doha and ‘s-Hertogenbosch – and the Japanese player has also failed to go past the second round in each of the four Grand Slams
-Reuters
Five players from the United States are ranked in the Women’s Tennis Association’s top 15 for the first time in two decades, the USTA said on Monday.
World number two Coco Gauff led the American charge followed by sixth-ranked Jessica Pegula and Danielle Collins, who climbed two spots to ninth on the list amid a remarkable farewell season.
Madison Keys was ranked 14th while Emma Navarro hopped two spots to a career-high 15th after reaching her first major quarter-final at Wimbledon.
The last time five American women featured in the top 15 was May 24, 2004, when Lindsay Davenport was fourth in the world
-Reuters
Seven-times Grand Slam champion Venus Williams and Australian soccer player Mary Fowler are among nine athletes to get a Barbie doll in their likeness as toy maker Mattel seeks to shine a light on women sports role models ahead of the Paris Olympics.
Mattel unveiled the dolls on Wednesday, each with their bespoke accessories. Fowler’s wears gloves and holds a football while Williams’ doll, dressed in an all white tennis dress and visor as well as wearing earrings, comes with a miniature racket.
The former world number one said she hoped to motivate young girls into sports with the doll.
“I literally can’t imagine my life without sports and without the game,” Williams said in a video, in which she held the doll.
“I want other young girls to have that invaluable experience of playing a sport and what it teaches you and what you learn and what you take from it, not just that moment (but) for the rest of your life… I think it’s so important for girls to be in sports.”
Other sports figures to have a doll in their likeness include French boxer Estelle Mossely, Polish sprinter Ewa Swoboda, Spanish doctor and paratriathlon athlete Susana Rodriguez, Italian former swimmer Federica Pellegrini, Canadian soccer player Christine Sinclair as well as Mexican and Brazilian gymnasts, Alexa Moreno and Rebeca Andrade.
The dolls, unveiled as Barbie turns 65 this year, “(recognise) the impact of sport in fostering self-confidence and ambition among the next generation”, Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and Mattel’s Global Head of Dolls, said.
“By shining a light on these inspirational athletes and their stories, we hope to champion the belief that every young girl deserves the opportunity to pursue her passions and turn her dreams into reality,” she said in a statement.
-Reuters
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