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Djokovic asks the referee for mercy
Photo:
Seth Wenig / dpa
The disqualification of the high tournament favorite Novak Djokovic at the US Open has shaken the tennis world.
"Djokovic is losing his nerve. His expulsion makes the already bizarre US Open even more strange," commented the "New York Times".
The 33-year-old world number one hit a line judge in his round of 16 match against Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta at a score of 5: 6 in the first set with a ball that he had knocked back after a rally.
The linesman then went down, Djokovic looked frightened and went to her.
"This whole situation left me really sad and empty," wrote Djokovic on Instagram and apologized to the linesman: "I'm very sorry that I caused her such stress. It was so unintentional and so wrong."
The press comments on the Djokovic disqualification at a glance:
United States
New York Post
: "The fiasco. Djokovic's excessive punishment is terrible for the US Open. The referee is lucky that there were no spectators in the arena."
Washington Post
: "An unimaginable turn of an unusual tournament."
ENGLAND
"The Times"
: "Even the biggest Djokovic fans have to admit that his temper has been a ticking time bomb for years."
"The Sun"
: "Shockovic! A sensational kick in the ass for Djokovic, incredible scenes on the court."
"Mirror"
: "It was definitely not on purpose, the ball wasn't even hit hard. But the decision is correct. An incredible end for Djokovic's hope for an 18th Grand Slam title that looked so likely. Up to this ball . "
FRANCE
"L'Équipe"
: "The escape of number one from the parking lot. An incredible disqualification."
"Le Monde"
: "Who could have stopped Djokovic on the way to the title? Just himself. Since no one else can, the champion throws himself out."
AUSTRALIA
"The Australian"
: "Djokovic's habit of kicking balls backwards catches up with him dramatically."
"Sydney Morning Herald"
: "Djokovic's selfishness and narcissism have long been a double-edged sword. By constantly exaggerating his own worth, he has become unable to see himself as anything other than the fixed star in the tennis universe, everyone owe others admiration and gratitude. His expulsion is the perfect metaphor for his year in which he did so much wrong. If he were a boxer, the referee would have taken him out in the first round. "
Djokovic came under criticism a few months ago as a co-organizer of the Adria Tour. Read more about the topic here:
NETHERLANDS
"Telegraaf"
: "A round of 16 ends in total drama. Djokovic ignores the warnings. He laughed at the possibility of disqualification."
ITALY
"Gazzetta dello Sport"
: "Incredible. Scandalous. Unheard of. An unthinkable epilogue."
SPAIN
"Marca"
: "Extraordinary !!! A surrealistic disqualification. The US Open make a historic decision."
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jan / sid
