Winning the “Cincinnati in New York” a week prior, people who know the game had already conceded the United States Open title to Novak Djokovic.
He won five of the last seven Grand Slam titles and 17 overall, including eight Australian Opens. He is one of only three players to have all four Grand Slam titles at the same time (2015 and 2016).
But tennis gods had other plans.
By some careless acts of the world’s top player, Djokovic was disqualified from the tournament after he hit a female line judge on the throat with a ball, effectively saying goodbye to the $3 million top prize.
The USTA issued a statement on the matter.
“In accordance with the Grand Slam rule book, following his action of 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 will be fined the prize money won at the tournament in addition to any or all fines levied with respect to the offending incident.”
In the heat of the game, frustrations and missed plays lead players to meltdowns and in cases of professional players, because advancing to the next match or round means more prize money, there’s more pressure to outdo the competition. Not only in tennis do we see player tantrums that resulted in sanctions.
When tennis players reach the Round of 16 of this year’s tournament, they are guaranteed a prize money of $250,000. Djokovic is stripped of that amount when he hit the line judge with that errant ball.
He was further fined $10,000 for “unsportsmanlike behavior.” Leaving Flushing Meadows immediately after the incident and skipping the mandatory post-match press conference, an additional $7,500 fine was given.
It was clearly not intentional but the ball found a landing spot that warranted the stiff decision. Not only was it disappointing for Djokovic but for tennis fans as well. The USTA had prepared well for a Grand Slam tournament inspite of the pandemic and they have to stick to their rules. Yes, rules may be harsh but sometimes, there’s a need to impose.
With him out of the tournament, the US Open will have a first-time Grand Slam winner. It has been an interesting year for the world’s number one – from hosting lavish parties in Serbia in the middle of the pandemic and getting infected with COVID-19 to being kicked out of the tournament.
With over $140 million in career prize money, Novak is ranked #23 on the Forbes list of highest paid athletes. His endorsement alone with Lacoste earns him eight figures including bonuses annually. He earns several millions more from his multi-year deals with Asics, Head, Seiko and most recently with French automotive manufacturer Peugeot.
A strong backhand and an accurate forehand can earn you big money in tennis. This time, add an ace to an unsuspecting lady’s throat.
The $267,000 fine levied on Djokovic is chump change compared to his earnings but he needs to control his temper because in tennis, if you do the crime, you get the fine./PN
