‘Oh my goodness’ – Novak Djokovic inches from possible Australian Open disqualification

Jan 24, 2026 - 13:15

Novak Djokovic was inches away from disqualification.

The 38-year-old narrowly avoided smacking a ball girl with a tennis ball in his third-round match of the Australian Open against Botic van de Zandschulp.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic hits a return to Netherlands' Botic van de Zandschulp during their men's singles match on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 24, 2026. — Djokovic’s Australian Open bid was inches away from being over

The Serbian lashed out in fury at deuce in the second set, and his wayward shot flew towards the left side of the court at the Rod Laver Arena.

The ball came perilously close to striking the ball girl, who was crouched by the net post.

The former world number one raised his hands in her direction to apologise.

He also evaded a formal warning.

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“Oh my goodness,” former British No. 1 Tim Henman said, as he was part of the commentary team on TNT Sports‘ coverage.

Co-commentator Nick Lester added, “Wow. That was a very near miss to the ball girl.”

Had the 10-time Australian Open champion hit the ball girl, though, then umpire John Blom might have been forced into disqualifying him from the tournament.

This wouldn’t have been the first time in his career either.

Djokovic suffered a similar fate at the 2020 US Open when he hit a line judge with a ball.

But on this occasion, he hit the ball far harder than he did in New York, and could have caused the ball girl serious damage.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic talks to a ball kid during the men's singles match against Netherlands' Botic van de Zandschulp on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 24, 2026. — Djokovic was criticized after he almost took out a ball kid with a wayward shot hit out of frustration

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates a match point against Netherlands' Botic van de Zandschulp during their men's singles match on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 24, 2026. — Djokovic stormed to a three set victory to book his place in the fourth round

Djokovic’s charge for glory continues

Djokovic had stormed to a first set victory and had a 3-0 advantage in the second before van de Zandschulp called for a medical timeout.

The world number 75 then re-entered the fold with renewed energy, winning consecutive games, including breaking his opponent’s serve.

The 30-year-old Dutchman eventually secured the seventh game of the second set in an encounter that included three deuces.

Despite battling a right ankle ailment and feet blisters throughout the contest, Djokovic prevailed with a 7-6 (7-4) victory in the third set to win in straight sets.

In doing so, he set yet another record as he became the first man to earn 400 match wins at the majors – taking his win/loss record to 400-55 – and 31 wins clear of Roger Federer.

Having booked his place in the round of 16, Djokovic will take on world number 16 Jakub Mensik on Sunday in a bid to reach the Australian Open quarter finals for what would be a record-setting 16th time.