Australian Open 2026: Novak Djokovic through after default scare, Stan Wawrinka bids farewell
The incident occurred after 10-time champion Djokovic, who was leading 6-3, 4-2 at the time, saw world number 75 Van de Zandschulp come close to a draw with a peaceful comeback.
Within seconds, Djokovic casually threw the ball to the left.
Analyzing the third-round match on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash said: “I don’t think the ball boy even knew he was there. But he was three inches away from default.”
“He hit this in an area where nine out of 10 shots are probably a default. He somehow managed to sneak between the kid playing the ball and the crowd on the left side.”
This was a clear-cut case in New York a little over five years ago.
Djokovic took a ball from his pocket and hit it from behind, hitting the female referee in the throat.
It was an infamous incident for which the Serb quickly apologized, saying it left him “really sad and empty”.
Many will question whether Djokovic has learned his lesson, given that he felt he had to apologize again in Melbourne.
He also fell awkwardly in the third set and was treated for a blister on his right foot shortly after.
But in the end, Djokovic won in two hours and 44 minutes, maintaining his record of yet to lose a set at this event, and a lighter workload could be critical to his hopes of winning an independent record 25th Grand Slam singles title.
He will face Czech Republic’s 16th seed Jakub Mensik in the fourth round.
