Novak Djokovic escapes Australian Open disqualification after nearly hitting ball kid: 'In the heat of the moment…'

Novak Djokovic attracted controversy at the ongoing 2026 Australian Open on Saturday. It was a hard-fought third-round victory for the Serbian against Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, and at one point in the second set, he smacked a ball towards an advertising hoarding out of frustration, almost hitting a ball kid. He quickly apologised.

Djokovic won 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) and had to fight off stiff resistance in the third set. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Djokovic was asked about the ball-kid incident.

Djokovic also evaded disqualification and any fine or punishment, as the ball didn't hit the ball kid. If it had hit the ball-kid, the umpire could have been forced to disqualify the Serbian from the tournament. He has faced a similar fate before at the 2020 US Open, when he struck a line judge with a ball.

The pressure is on Djokovic this year, as he looks to break Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner's dominance. "I'm still trying to give these young guys a push for their money. I'm still around. I'm hanging in there", he said.

"Obviously Alcaraz and Sinner are the two best players in the world. They're playing on a different level from all of us right now. But, you know, when you enter the court and the ball rolls, you always have a chance, particularly here, on the court that has given me the most in my career."

Last year, he reached the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams, but couldn't go any further. "Last year I got too excited, too early in some of the Grand Slams. I was playing really well and getting to the quarters and semis and then getting injured in pretty much three out of four," he said.

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