There is no rule saying a player who hits somebody MUST be disqualified

[jm1980]

You failed to include it in your quoted sections. Given how relevant it is to an informed view it was surely a deliberate omission to sway the discussion one way.

That is a better point about it.

How does the quoted rule, i.e.:

The Referee in consultation with the Grand Slam Chief of Supervisors may declare a default for either a single violation of this Code or pursuant to the Point Penalty Schedule set out above.

Materially differ from the summary I gave?

In cases of a particularly egregious offense, the chair umpire or tournament referee MAY choose to default the player (section T of the code).

 

[woodrow1029]

He got a warning when he slammed a ball in a wall a few points before the infamous incident

Oh then it would have been a point penalty, not game

 

[Bartelby]

And 'egregious' means ' outstandingly bad, shocking'. That's a very high standard!

 

[tudwell]

Wonder where the stats on ball that hit her are. I am sure if it is tracking paths rpm and speed of other shots they know for this one.

I’m curious too. My own back-of-the-napkin calculations are:

The ball was hit from nearly the service line. The distance from The service line to the back fence is probably 40 feet if not a little more. The ball took probably at most a second to reach her after being struck. 40 feet per second translates to 27 mph, according to Google. So it’s gotta be at least that fast. Possibly up to the low 30s. Not super hard, but if you’re not expecting it, a 30 mph ball of rubber hitting you in the throat is probably not very pleasant.

 

[woodrow1029]

How does the quoted rule, i.e.:

The Referee in consultation with the Grand Slam Chief of Supervisors may declare a default for either a single violation of this Code or pursuant to the Point Penalty Schedule set out above.

Materially differ from the summary I gave?

In cases of a particularly egregious offense, the chair umpire or tournament referee MAY choose default the player (section T of the code).

chair umpire can’t issue a default at a grand slam... only in usta tennis

 

[Lleytonstation]

How does the quoted rule, i.e.:

The Referee in consultation with the Grand Slam Chief of Supervisors may declare a default for either a single violation of this Code or pursuant to the Point Penalty Schedule set out above.

Materially differ from the summary I gave?

In cases of a particularly egregious offense, the chair umpire or tournament referee MAY choose to default the player (section T of the code).

Agree here. Djoker made a mistake, but it should not cost the entire tourney the relevance of having a legit winner.

 

[vex]

The woman did fall to the ground though. And the throat is a sensitive area too.

Painful to see people desperately trying to dig out of this. He F’d up. It wasn’t intentional but it was stupid, careless and reckless. And it’s not the first time. Lucky for Novak 1) he didn’t nuke the ball at her and 2) she doesn’t appear to be seriously injured. Accept he ****ed up and move on folks. The more people try to desperately spin this for him (or god forbid he tries to spout some bs) the worse this will be. Hopefully he learns from this and becomes a better professional.

 

[woodrow1029]

Agree here. Djoker made a mistake, but it should not cost the entire tourney the relevance of having a legit winner.

So you think no default?

 

[Rosstour]

Oh FFS, you're fast becoming one of the most intolerable of all the Novak Djokovic fans.

Why can't you just accept he did something wrong?

Because when you follow a cult of personality, the leader can actually do no wrong.

 

[Bartelby]

If something is an accident or unintended, then it is hard to see it as 'egregious'. The consequence looked dramatic, but turned out not to be so.

 

[Lleytonstation]

So you think no default?

Well, I get the rules, but I think they could of played on.

I mean really it just sucks. But maybe the right call was made.

 

[vex]

Agree here. Djoker made a mistake, but it should not cost the entire tourney the relevance of having a legit winner.

Certainly an argument. But what’s done is done. Maybe we’ll see some cool SF/final with Shapav/Med/ect.

otherwise, on to the French

 

[AceSalvo]

chair umpire can’t issue a default at a grand slam... only in usta tennis

Lol, it was not the chair umpire who issued the default. It was the match referee was issued the default. Stop twisting facts.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Certainly an argument. But what’s done is done. Maybe we’ll see some cool SF/final with Shapav/Med/ect.

otherwise, on to the French

Yep. Unfortunate is the word for the USO. But it should shake things up.

 

[ttbrowne]

I don't know where you got this from? Here are some of his quotes during his discussion with the officials:

"She doesn't have to go to the hospital for this." -Djokovic trying to downplay the effects of hitting the lineswoman, saying she wasn't seriously injured. Djokovic continuining: "You're going to choose a default in this situation? My career, grand slam, center stage"
Djokovic is desperately negotiating now: "You have a game penalty, set penalty, many options."
Djokovic continues to plead: "If she would have gotten up right away..."

I don't know where you got this from? Here are some of his quotes during his discussion with the officials:

"She doesn't have to go to the hospital for this." -Djokovic trying to downplay the effects of hitting the lineswoman, saying she wasn't seriously injured. Djokovic continuining: "You're going to choose a default in this situation? My career, grand slam, center stage"
Djokovic is desperately negotiating now: "You have a game penalty, set penalty, many options."
Djokovic continues to plead: "If she would have gotten up right away..."

Yes, that's Novak trying to talk some sense into these stupid over reacting nuts. You can be sure Fed or Nadal would NEVER have been DF'd for anything. Fed used the F word to a USO chair umpire and...nothing.
If a linesperson who regularly dodges and gets nailed with 140mph serves can't handle that...get out. What a fiasco.
Fed fan here.

 

[woodrow1029]

Lol, it was not the chair umpire who issued the default. It was the match referee was issued the default. Stop twisting facts.

When did I say that she did? I think if there’s anyone with knowledge of the facts and rules here it’s me...

 

[Bartelby]

So what was 'egregious' about the act?

When did I say that she did? I think if there’s anyone with knowledge of the facts and rules here it’s me...

 

[AceSalvo]

When did I say that she did? I think if there’s anyone with knowledge of the facts and rules here it’s me...

Even in the USTA tennis, chair umpire can never issue a default. It happens only after consulting with the tournament referee.

 

[woodrow1029]

Even in the USTA tennis, chair umpire can never issue a default. It happens only after consulting with the tournament referee.

There is no rule in usta like that... and actually as a usta referee I would prefer for the rover/chair umpire to issue the default because then the players only appeal is to the referee...

If the referee Defaults a player, the player can appeal to the tournament appeals committee which usually doesn’t have people with any training in those scenarios.

 

[Candide]

Quoting Robert Penn Warren was a tad pretentious, if I do say so.

Ha, you're probably right. In my defense though, I'm an English teacher though and All the Kings Men is one of my favourite novels of all time.

 

[AceSalvo]

There is no rule in usta like that... and actually as a usta referee I would prefer for the rover/chair umpire to issue the default because then the players only appeal is to the referee...

If the referee Defaults a player, the player can appeal to the tournament appeals committee which usually doesn’t have people with any training in those scenarios.

Serena 2009 DQ, chair umpire calls out referee who then discusses with the lines judge and default was given.

 

[woodrow1029]

Serena 2009 DQ, chair umpire calls out referee who then discusses with the lines judge and default was given.

Serena wasn’t even defaulted in 2009. She was only given a point penalty...

and that is a grand slam not usta amateur tennis

ITF grand slam rules are different.

got anything Else?

 

[AceSalvo]

Serena wasn’t even defaulted in 2009. She was only given a point penalty...

and that is a grand slam not usta amateur tennis

ITF grand slam rules are different.

got anything Else?

LOL. Got anything else?? I got the below proof for you. Not sure which planet you are living on. Serena was defaulted in 2009.

 

[woodrow1029]

It was a point penalty on match point... it was not a default...

 

[woodrow1029]

LOL. Got anything else?? I got the below proof for you. Not sure which planet you are living on. Serena was defaulted in 2009.

LOL. Got anything else?? I got the below proof for you. Not sure which planet you are living on. Serena was defaulted in 2009.

It was a point penalty on match point... it was not a default...

 

[AceSalvo]

It was a point penalty on match point... it was not a default...

I thought I would pull one on you. Didnt work.

But did you notice how the referee was called out to make the decision for a point penalty?

 

[woodrow1029]

I thought I would pull one on you. Didnt work.

But did you notice how the referee was called out to make the decision for a point penalty?

It was because the chair umpire thought it should be a default... the referee made the decision to issue a point penalty instead.

 

[jm1980]

Serena 2009 DQ, chair umpire calls out referee who then discusses with the lines judge and default was given.

Serena wasn't DQ'd there, it was a point penalty on MP

 

[Candide]

My karma drove over my dogma.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/us-open/us-open-2020-novak-djokovic-disqualified-hits-line-judge-karma-comes-for-serbia-tennis-star/news-story/d999632d00b54edeb2ff6ee9de648420?$web_only=true&utm_source=breaking_sportsmail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=crm&utm_content=static&$3p=e_ab&$original_url=http://at.foxsports.com.au/link/d999632d00b54edeb2ff6ee9de648420?$web_only=true&utm_source=breaking_sportsmail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=crm&utm_content=static&_branch_match_id=821218885310987130

 

[veroniquem]

I dont think this deserve a default since 1. Roger sent the ball exactly where the ball boy was but for some reason the kid was distracted or maybe he needs to focus in the net to pick up the balls and 2. it definitely was not a show of frustration like Djokovic in this situation

Loool so distraction of official is a valid excuse now? Look at the video again because the lines person in Djoko’s case was very visibly distracted.

 

[FatHead250]

Im a Roger fan but its such a joke to default Djokovic for that. This is not any different from the ball abuse penalty players always get. It's just that this time a referee woman unluckily got in the way. Since the action and the intent was teh same, Djokovic must have been given a warning for ball abuse. The unfortunate consequences DON'T MATTER. At worst, they could warrant a point penalty.

Same should've been the case with Nalbandian.

It's like gettign defaulted for groping an official while reachign to scratch your own butt.

Because this tells us what the Grand Slam officials want to see - hit as many balls recklessly as you want and there won't be any reprecussions but if you are unfortunate enough to cause something bad only then will we punish you. This is a joke logic that lacks any sense.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Yes, that's Novak trying to talk some sense into these stupid over reacting nuts. You can be sure Fed or Nadal would NEVER have been DF'd for anything. Fed used the F word to a USO chair umpire and...nothing.

How about this whiner touching the chair ump? That is also an incident where he could have been defaulted.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis...he-australian-open-final-20200202-p53x2r.html

 

[Candide]

Dkokovic's narcissistic, self-serving response to the incident sums up his whole problem,

“She doesn’t have to go to the hospital for this... You’re going to choose a default in this situation? My career, grand slam, centre stage.” He didn't need to hire on a New Age guru to try to adopt some worthwhile values. He could have just committed to a very basic code that works for most people. But he simply cannot believe that his character (and therefore his image) is not based on what he thinks but on what he does.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

Isn't dangerous the key word? Didn't he hit the ball dangerously?
Wasn't it dangerous? He hit that woman and put her in danger. She was clearly shocked and hurt. Is that not dangerous enough for people?

 

[The Safinator]

Perhaps you ahosul phone in to the USTA or ATP and former players and let them know they missed it.
Goats don't hurt lineswoman. He's an abuser & wanted special treatment.
Vamos.

You can't spell. And, ignoring what the actual rule says is moronic.

 

[Candide]

Isn't dangerous the key word? Didn't he hit the ball dangerously?
Wasn't it dangerous? He hit that woman and put her in danger. She was clearly shocked and hurt. Is that not dangerous enough for people?

Some Sergeant Slaughters around here want blood.

 

[Raul_SJ]

Isn't dangerous the key word? Didn't he hit the ball dangerously?
Wasn't it dangerous? He hit that woman and put her in danger. She was clearly shocked and hurt. Is that not dangerous enough for people?

Accidental is the key word.
She is supposed to be a professional that is willing to stand on the court against 140mph serves. Unfortunate to get hit in the throat by a moderate toss but these things happen.
This does not rise to a DQ. A game penalty and fine would have sufficed.

 

[Mainad]

Accidental is the key word.
She is supposed to be a professional that is willing to stand on the court against 140mph serves.
This does not rise to a DQ. A game penalty and fine would have sufficed.

He hit a ball that was not in play and she got hurt. A clear violation of the rules. No brainer. Why try to load all the blame onto the innocent victim just because it's inconvenient to the tournament to apply the rules to the top player?

 

[mental midget]

That's what really sealed Djokovic's fate. The leeway you get for this stuff instantly disappears if anyone is or appears to get hurt

wherever you stand on this, one things pretty clear: you can’t base the penalty based on “how bad” the incident was. wildly variable for a million reasons, i’m sure you could have hit another linesperson w the exact same shot and they’d shake their head and shrug it off. and you can’t exactly wait for a medical report to resume play or not. and let’s just be real here, i’m guessing a high percentage of lines people would very quickly identify an incident like this as the luckiest thing to ever happen to them and juuuust maybe might be a little slower than usual to get off the ground.

 

[Raul_SJ]

He hit a ball that was not in play and she got hurt. A clear violation of the rules. No brainer.

Aren't players supposed to hit the balls back to the ballkids after the end of the game?... . DQ for a simple accident?
If the rule is this rigid, it needs to be changed.

 

[Pinocchio]

This woman's job is literally to watch the ball, but can't even see one coming towards her face, never mind catching it or moving out of the way.

 

[Mainad]

Aren't players supposed to hit the balls back to the ballkids after the end of the game?... Suppose he hit it back and shanked the racket and hit an official?
If the rule is this rigid, it needs to be changed.

They're supposed to tap or bounce the balls back, not hit them so as to avoid the possibility of an accidental injury which is why the rule is there. Djokovic wasn't trying to return the ball to a ballkid anyway, he hit the ball in frustration and caught the line judge.

 

[Mainad]

This woman's job is literally to watch the ball, but can't even see one coming towards her face, never mind catching it or moving out of the way.

When the ball is out of play you don't expect to see it suddenly come hurtling towards you. Stop piling blame onto the victim.

 

[ghostofMecir]

Oh FFS, you're fast becoming one of the most intolerable of all the Novak Djokovic fans.

Why can't you just accept he did something wrong?

Exactly. Reminds me of the meme posts about “Djokovic could go into the stands and slap a baby and his fan wold say the baby deserves it.”

Now it’s Playing out

 

[Candide]

This woman's job is literally to watch the ball, but can't even see one coming towards her face, never mind catching it or moving out of the way.

Pinocchio the "new user" eh? Someone's nose is getting longer by the second, I'm guessing.

 

[Pinocchio]

When the ball is out of play you don't expect to see it suddenly come hurtling towards you. Stop piling blame onto the victim.

Yeah, I'm blaming the linesperson for faking being hurt and also being spaced out when the ball hit her. Deal with it. I don't know about you, but I choose to be aware of my surroundings all the time, so that accidents are unlikely to happen, and if they do happen, I can maybe do something about it, before it's too late.

P.S.
But not you or fruitcakes like Candide. You're just gonna stand there like a statue and call your lawyer first thing in the morning.

 

[fundrazer]

Painful to see people desperately trying to dig out of this. He F’d up. It wasn’t intentional but it was stupid, careless and reckless. And it’s not the first time. Lucky for Novak 1) he didn’t nuke the ball at her and 2) she doesn’t appear to be seriously injured. Accept he ****ed up and move on folks. The more people try to desperately spin this for him (or god forbid he tries to spout some bs) the worse this will be. Hopefully he learns from this and becomes a better professional.

Watch 161114djokaction_h264_publish | Streamable

Watch "161114djokaction_h264_publish" on Streamable.

streamable.com

 

[Slowtwitcher]

******** fans out of control

 

[Mainad]

Yeah, I'm blaming the linesperson for faking being hurt and also being spaced out when the ball hit her. Deal with it. I don't know about you, but I choose to be aware of my surroundings all the time, so that accidents are unlikely to happen, and if they do, I can maybe do something about it, before it's too late.

And you know she was faking it....how? Clearly you're Mr. Perfect which must make it impossible for you to have an accident at anyone else's hands as you will always be aware of what other people nearby are about to do towards you. Most people however don't have the benefit of your perfect foresight and probably didn't expect an out of play ball to suddenly come hurtling towards them. Very naive of them I'm sure but the rule is in place to protect the vulnerability of the majority who don't have the benefit of your perfect foresight.

 

[Deleted member 744633]

Novak Djokovic Otha'd up, simple as that. He's just given a truck load of ammunition to his detractors and this is going to have serious ramifications

Someone said it's doubtful he'll now get the slam record. While I think that's taking it too far, this incident isn't going to make it any easy for him.