Tennis player instantly disqualified from Wimbledon after committing rule violation

Jul 4, 2026 - 21:30

Ida Wobker was defaulted during her girls’ singles match at Wimbledon after her racket struck a spectator.

The 15-year-old, ranked 24th on the ITF junior circuit, was down 6-0, 5-5 against Romania’s Maria Valentina Pop when the incident occurred.

Ida Wobker throws her racquet during a match at Wimbledon — Wobker couldn’t keep her emotions in check as her racket flew into the crowd

With Pop on serve and leading 30-0, Wobker lost the point when she sent a backhand beyond the baseline.

Wobker’s wobble

It was Wobker’s 44th unforced error of the match and the frustration evidently got to her as she smacked her racket onto the grass.

Wobker’s racket bounced and flew into the crowd sitting courtside on Court 11, despite not putting a tonne of force into her toss.

The 15-year-old’s actions prompted the umpire to default her, putting an instant end to the match after 91 minutes of action.

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It was a difficult day at the office for Wobker, who had committed 11 double faults prior to being defaulted.

Pop’s performance was in stark contrast, producing just four double faults and only seven unforced errors.

The Romanian also won a total of 77 points to Wobker’s 59.

Pop now awaits either British wildcard Daniella Britton or eighth seed Sol Ailin Larraya Guidi in the next round.

Which other famous tennis stars have been defaulted mid-match?

Wobker is far from alone among tennis players who were defaulted after letting their emotions get the better of themselves.

British great Tim Henman infamously became the first player to be disqualified from a tournament in the Open Era when he hit a ballgirl at Wimbledon in 1995.

What ITF rule did Ida Wobker break?

Article III, Section J of the ITF’s Rules and Regulations:

“Players shall not violently or with anger hit, kick or throw a racquet or other equipment within the precincts of the tournament site.

“If such violation occurs during a match (including the warm-up), the player shall be penalised in accordance with the Point Penalty Schedule below.

“In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of a tournament, or are singularly egregious, a single violation of this Section shall also constitute the Major Offence of “Aggravated Behaviour” and shall be subject to the additional penalties below.

“For the purposes of this Rule, abuse of racquets or equipment is defined as intentionally and violently destroying or damaging racquets or equipment or intentionally and violently hitting the net, court, umpire’s chair or other fixture during a match out of anger or frustration.”

Even the great Henman was prone to an on-court brain fade

After he netted a volley during a men’s doubles match, a then-20-year-old Henman smashed a ball straight at a ballgirl, who was left in tears.

Henman and doubles partner Jeremy Bates were disqualified, despite protesting his act was unintentional.

Novak Djokovic suffered the same fate at the 2020 US Open when he hit a female line judge in the throat.

After his serve was broken in the first set against Pablo Carreno Busta, Djokovic whacked a ball towards the back wall but instead found the line judge.

He immediately apologised to the official, who was down on the court in visible pain.

Despite Djokovic’s remorse, he was disqualified following a brief deliberation between the umpire, tournament referee and chief Grand Slam supervisor.