Djokovic Avoids Disqualification After Near Miss at Australian Open | Advances to Round of 16

Novak Djokovic advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open on Saturday, January 24th, with a straight-set victory over Botic van de Zandschulp. The Serbian star controlled the match from the outset, securing a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win.

Djokovic started strong, breaking van de Zandschulp once in the first set to take an early lead. He continued his dominance in the second, earning two immediate breaks of serve, though the Dutchman battled back to win one break of his own. Despite failing to convert further break opportunities while leading 4-2, Djokovic closed out the set 6-4.

The match briefly threatened to derail in the second set when Djokovic, visibly frustrated, forcefully struck a ball that landed dangerously close to a line judge. Tennis analyst José Morón commented on X that had the ball connected, Djokovic would have faced immediate disqualification.

The incident drew immediate attention to the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) strict code of conduct, which mandates disqualification if a player’s ball strikes an official, ball person, spectator, or any other individual on the court, regardless of intent. Physical contact results in automatic removal from the match.

Djokovic famously faced disqualification at the 2020 US Open under similar circumstances. During a match against Pablo Carreño Busta, he unintentionally hit a line judge with a ball after losing a game, leading to his immediate expulsion from the tournament.

However, this time in Melbourne, Djokovic avoided penalty. He held serve to win the second set 6-4, and then dominated the third, ultimately taking it 6-2. The win sends the nine-time Australian Open champion into the round of 16.

Djokovic will next face Jakub Menšík, who upset American Ethan Quinn in the third round.