World No.8 Alexander Zverev has become the first top name to comment on the shock disqualification of Novak Djokovic by describing the situation as ‘unfortunate.’
The top seed forfeited his fourth round match against Pablo Carreno Busta during the closing stages of the first set after accidentally striking a lineswoman with a ball in the throat. Prompting her to fall to the ground in the immediate aftermath. Djokovic rushed over to see if the official was OK before being defaulted from the match under tournament rules. Following in the footsteps of Tim Henman at the 1995 Wimbledon Championships and David Nalbandian at the 2012 Queen’s Club who was also punished for similar offences.
Speaking about the incident following his fourth round win, Zverev said his rival has been ‘very unlucky’ because he would still be in the tournament if the ball missed the official. Djokovic grew frustrated as the match progressed. After failing to convert three break points whilst leading 5-4, he then suffered a fall on the court and jarred his left shoulder.
“It’s very unfortunate that, you know, he hit the line judge, and especially where it hit her,” Zverev commented.
“There is a rule in place for it. I think the supervisors and all of them are just doing their job. But very unlucky for Novak.’
“I think he’s going to be a little bit upset about it. If he would have hit it anywhere else, if it would have landed anywhere else, we are talking about a few inches, he would have been fine.”
Zverev was on a collision course to play the world No.1 in the semi-finals at New York. He is now the highest ranked player left in his section of the draw during what his his best ever run at the US Open.
“I don’t know what to say. I’m a little bit in shock right now, to be honest.”
Following the latest development, this year’s US Open will have a new grand slam champion. Out of those remaining in the draw, only two men have previously played in a major final. They are Daniil Medvedev (once) and Dominic Thiem (three times).
“There’s no past Grand Slam champions left in the draw. It’s going to be one of the young guys, I think, if you count Dominic Thiem as a young guy, as well. He obviously has a chance to win, as well.” Zverev analysed.
“Now it gets interesting. Now I think is the time where it gets really interesting. Yeah. I know who is where in the draw. I know who I can play. I know who the rest of the guys can play. Yeah. We’ll see where we go from here.”
