Key Highlights
- Djokovic narrowly avoids a default during his 400th Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open.
- The incident mirrors a similar situation he faced in 2020 when he accidentally hit a ball girl with a ball.
- Wawrinka, playing in his final Australian Open before retirement, lost to Taylor Fritz in four sets.
The Tense Moment: Djokovic’s Ball Smashing Incident
In the heat of battle during his 400th Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic narrowly avoided another ignominious default. The Serbian tennis legend was fortunate that a ball girl ducked out of the way as he swatted away a pacy return from Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp.
“I apologised for that. That was not necessary and in the heat of the moment,” said Djokovic after his straight-set win over Van de Zandschulp, which kept him on track for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles title.
A Lesson Repeated
The incident brought back memories of a similar situation from five years ago when Djokovic was disqualified from the US Open after accidentally hitting a line judge in the neck with a ball. “He’s hit that in an area where nine times out of 10 is probably a default,” said former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash, analysing the third-round match for BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I don’t even think he knew the ball kid was there. But it was three inches from getting defaulted,” Cash added, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
The Farewell of a Legend: Wawrinka’s Bittersweet Exit
While Djokovic continued his dominance on court, Swiss player Stan Wawrinka said farewell to Melbourne in his final Australian Open before retiring at the end of 2026. The 40-year-old, a three-time Grand Slam champion and the 2014 Australian Open winner, had been on court for almost eight hours across his first two matches.
“I had so many emotions here over the past 20 years,” said Wawrinka, as he addressed the crowd. “I won my first Grand Slam here and I’ve always had so much support. The reason I’m still playing is because of you and the love of the game.”
Wawrinka’s journey came to an end in a four-set loss to American Taylor Fritz, but his final moments on court were celebrated with a video package showcasing some of his best Australian Open moments.
A Toast to a Legend
“It’s amazing what he’s out here doing. I have so much respect for the passion and drive it takes to be doing what he’s done this week,” said Fritz, as Wawrinka toasted with tournament director Craig Tiley on court after his final match.
Wawrinkka’s exit marked a poignant end to an illustrious career, leaving fans and colleagues alike reflecting on the incredible journey that brought him to Melbourne for one last time. “I’m sad to leave but it’s been an amazing journey,” he concluded, marking a bittersweet note in the grand narrative of Australian Open history.
