Novak Djokovic Defaulted For Hitting Line Judge

NEW YORK (AP) – A fit of anger has cost Novak Djokovic  a chance to win a fourth U.S. Open title. The top-ranked player and prohibitive favorite was defaulted from his fourth-round match after he accidentally hit a line judge with a tennis ball. Djokovic had just lost a game to his opponent, Pablo Carreno Busta, to fall behind 6-5 in the first set. As he walked to the sideline for the changeover, Djokovic smacked a ball behind him. The ball hit a female line judge, who dropped to her knees at the back of the court and reached for her neck. The chair umpire announced the default following a minutes-long conversation with officials on court.  It seemed clear Djokovic did not intend to hit the line judge; there was concern written on his face as soon as he realized what happened. But players who hit a ball out of anger and make contact with an on-court official have been defaulted in the past. It was a stunning end to Djokovic’s bid for an 18th Grand Slam title and his 26-0 start to this season. It also means the men’s winner will become a first-time Grand Slam champion.