Nick Kyrgios has shot back Novak Djokovic and the tennis establishment after the world number one was kicked out of the US Open for hitting a ball into a lineswoman’s throat.
The Australian player who has infamously become known as the bad boy of the sport, has suggested in a light-hearted tweet that his punishment would have been much worse if he had been the perpetrator over Djokovic.
Djokovic’s bid for an 18th Grand Slam title came to a grinding halt after an incident in the fourth-round match against his opponent Pablo Carreno Busta.
The tennis star hit a ball out of frustration after losing a game to Busta and it came into contact with a lineswoman’s throat.
The US Tennis Association announced his disqualification on Monday morning, and said his actions were covered by the Grand Slam rulebook.
It states that intentionally hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences is a major violation.
Kyrgios responded to the news by taking to social media with a Twitter poll.
He wrote: “Swap me for jokers incident. ‘Accidentally hitting the ball kid in the throat’ how many years would I be banned for?”
He then gives the options of five, ten or 20 years.
Swap me for jokers incident. ‘Accidentally hitting the ball kid in the throat’ how many years would I be banned for?
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) September 6, 2020
The actions of scandal-plagued Djokovic in the moments after the incident have also been called into question.
Djokovic has been criticised for his actions the moment after the incident happened.
Those watching the game live noted he did not rush to the woman’s side to make sure he was okay, and further critiqued that the comments he made to avoid disqualification cast him in a negative light.
The world number one unsuccessfully attempted to plead his case against disqualification.
“She doesn’t have to go to the hospital for this,” he was reportedly heard saying.
“You’re going to choose a default in this situation? My career, grand slam, centre stage?
“If she would have gotten up right away …”
Since events have unfolded, a regretful Djokovic has taken to social media to apologise for his behaviour.
“This whole situation has left me really sad and empty,” he wrote on social media.
“I checked on the lines person and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling ok. I‘m extremely sorry to have caused her such stress. So unintended. So wrong. I’m not disclosing her name to respect her privacy.
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“As for the disqualification, I need to go back within and work on my disappointment and turn this all into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and human being.
“I apologize to the @usopen tournament and everyone associated for my behavior. I’m very grateful to my team and family for being my rock support, and my fans for always being there with me. Thank you and I’m so sorry.
