Djokovic ‘sad and empty’

Novak Djokovic said he was "sad and empty" after being disqualified from the U.S. Open on Sunday after hitting a line judge in the throat with a ball during his fourth-round match against Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta.

"I checked on the lines person and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling ok. I'm extremely sorry to have caused her such stress. So unintended. So wrong. I'm not disclosing her name to respect her privacy," the world number one said on Instagram.

Having dropped serve to trail 5-6, the Serb swatted a ball reasonably hard to the back of the court, inadvertently striking the line judge, who screamed out in pain as she fell to the ground.

Tournament referee Soeren Friemel came out on to the Arthur Ashe Stadium and spoke to chair umpire Aurelie Tourte and Andreas Egli, the Grand Slam supervisor, before a long chat with the 33-year-old Serb.

After 12 minutes of pleading, Djokovic's fate was sealed.

"As for the disqualification, I need to go back within and work on my disappointment and turn this all into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and human being," Djokovic, who was chasing an 18th Grand Slam title added.

"I apologize to the @usopen tournament and everyone associated for my behavior. I'm very grateful to my team and family for being my rock support, and my fans for always being there with me. Thank you and I'm so sorry."

Djokovic has proved unbeatable on court this year but Sunday's dramatic disqualification from the U.S. Open was not the first time questionable judgement has led to unintended consequences for the world number one.

The 33-year-old has long shown a fierce desire to be considered a statesman of the game in the same way as Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, his fellow members of the "Big Three".

The Adria Tour was an altruistic endeavour aimed at raising funds for charity, and the players' association he launched ahead of the U.S. Open is aimed at providing a platform for his fellow professionals.

WHAT THEY SAID

"There are two factors, one is the action and the result. And the action – while there was no intent – the result of hitting a line umpire and (her) clearly being hurt is the essential factor in the decision-making process here."

---Soeren Friemel, Tournament referee.

"When I turn back again, the line umpire was on the floor. I'm very apprehensive with these kind of things, so I was a little bit in shock."

---Pablo Carreno Busta,

Djokovic's opponent in the match.

"I'm as shocked as anybody. Novak and me go way back. We call each other family. This is probably the most difficult moment in his entire professional life. He did break the rule, the decision is correct."

---Boris Becker, former US Open Champion and former coach of Djokovic.

"If he embraces that role, I think he could recover. He's got a lot of things going for him, but this is a stain that he's not going to be able to erase."

---John McEnroe, seven Grand Slam singles Titles winner.

"It's the right decision. He is not aiming for the line judge, but has hit the ball away and you have to be responsible for your actions."

---Tim Henman, disqualified from Wimbledon for a similar incident in 1995.

"Unbelievable what just happened on the court. Novak Djokovic defaulted for inadvertently but stupidly hitting a lineswoman in the throat with a ball and the officials had no choice but to default.

---Martina Navratilova, 18-time

Grand Slam singles champion.

"Swap me for jokers incident. 'Accidentally hitting the ball kid in the throat' how many years would I be banned for? 5? 10? 20?"

---Nick Kyrgios, Australian tennis player.