Novak Djokovic disqualified from U.S. Open after accidentally hitting line judge with tennis ball

NEW YORK — A ball hit in frustration Sunday has cost top-seeded Novak Djokovic his bid to capture his 18th Grand Slam title after he inadvertently struck a lineswoman with the wayward swat at the U.S. Open.

Djokovic was disqualified from the tournament after taking a ball from his pocket and smacking it with his racket toward the back of the court after losing the final point in the first set of the fourth round against Pablo Carreño Busta, The New York Times reported.

The errant ball struck the lineswoman in the throat, and she “squealed and crumpled to the ground” before Djokovic rushed to her side, the Times reported.

“Players have been defaulted for less. I think the tournament made the right decision,” said Darren Cahill, a veteran coach who was covering the match courtside in Arthur Ashe Stadium for ESPN.

The lineswoman later walked off the court, and Djokovic took his first loss of the season following a 26-0 start, ESPN reported.

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