Should Djokovic Been Ejected?

[bednobs]

Nust admit I have never heard of this rule - what happens if your shot goes awry and you hit them? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/54052345

[dannyk13]

That would be a genuine accident during play, this was a show of bad temper.

[Neveracrossword]

Bednobs, I think there would have been an outcry if Djokovic hadn't been disqualified! The rule has been used before - even Tim Henman was put out of Wimbledon after accidentally hitting a ball girl on the ear. There's a difference between 'hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences' when it's not actually in play and accidentally hitting anyone in the course of a shot, rally, etc.

[Vagus]

Yes he should.
He was throwing a bit of a hissy fit and smacked the ball in temper, not deliberately at the official, but just by whacking the ball he contravened the rules.
It’s different if a ball goes awry and hits someone during play.

[campbellking]

Yes, stroppy diva

[Bazile]

With a temperament like that , he'll never win anything

[bednobs]

Your Answer...but if tim's was and accident and novak's was an accident, what's different to an accident of play. BTW I missed out a "have" in my title and it's really peeing me off everytime it comes up in latest posts

[bednobs]

has anyone got a clip?

[dannyk13]

//With a temperament like that , he'll never win anything//
Other than the 17 Grand Slams he has already won.

[Bazile]

Danny - I see you don't recognize tongue in cheek ?

[dannyk13]

Bednobs, it was not actually during play, he lost his temper and smashed the ball behind him.

[Neveracrossword]

Sorry, Bednobs, I said 'accidentally' about Tim H, I really meant 'unintentionally ' - he too had swiped out at the ball in annoyance, not during a point. Last night Djokovic had earlier blasted a ball off into space and most of today's commentators felt he should have been given a warning then. He wasn't ... and then a short while later he had a much gentler fit of petulance, but this time he hit the line judge.

[dannyk13]

Bazile, it would appear not.Hard to tell from what is written.

[Cloverjo]

I think I also remember a player called Guillermo Coria about 15 years who accidentally hit a line judge, apologised profusely and was allowed to continue. I can’t find any coverage of it now, though.

The Rule talks about “abuse” of any person within the arena. I’m not sure an accidental hit after a petulant whack of the ball constitutes abuse.

I’m not defending Djokovic, just putting another side of the argument forward.

[Neveracrossword]

Bednobs, I've seen the clip a few times - just on one of the newspapers' websites. It's not a dramatic incident, but injuring someone is bad!

[bednobs]

but they bat the balls they aren't using behind them all the time, and surely it's just luck they don't hit anyone?

[Prudie]

From what I've seen and it was only on YouTube it does not look like a stroppy shot in fact it didn't even look that forceful. By his reaction before it hit the line judge he was clearly apologetic so based purely on the evidence I've seen then it was a very over the top decision, as was the line judge's dramatic reaction.

[ichkeria]

Henman and Djokovic: both shots in anger, even tho no intent to injure. Each deservedly disqualified.
Apology, punishment, fine, move on.

[DTCwordfan]

David Nalbandian got disqualified for something similar at Queen's in 2012, following a hissy fit....both him and Novichok thoroughly deserved their expulsion.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/18491229

(the Henman one is at the bottom of the page, I believe).

[DTCwordfan]

Prudie, the line judge was hit in the throat!

[ToraToraTora]

the referee had no choice in the matter, the rule is quite clear.