The United States Tennis Association confirmed that they disqualified Novak Djokovic from the US Open for "hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly" as he struck a line judge.
The world No.1 became the first men's player to be disqualified from a Grand Slam in 20 years when he angrily struck a ball after going 6-5 down to Pablo Carreno Busta in the first set of the fourth round match at Flushing Meadows.
Although clearly an accident, the ball then struck a line judge who was left disorientated by the ordeal.
After some discussion the match was awarded to Carreno Busta, with Djokovic leaving the court and refusing to speak to the press before he was driven away.
The USTA statement read:
"In accordance with the Grand Slam rulebook, following his actions of intentionally hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences, the US Open tournament referee defaulted Novak Djokovic from the 2020 US Open.
"Because he was defaulted, Djokovic will lose all ranking points earned at the US Open and will be fined the prize money won at the tournament in addition to any or all fines levied with respect to the offending incident."
Carreno Busta was left in shock the incident, saying: "I never expected this moment playing against Novak so it was a tough moment also for me.
"And then when they were talking at the net, I just tried to be focused in the case that we’d have to continue playing.
"In one moment, I asked the referee what was happening because it was so long to me, this moment. I don’t know it was 10 minutes or 15 minutes but I was a little bit cold.
"So I need to be ready in case I would have to continue. I just asked to him and then finally Novak gave me the hand. And that’s it.”
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