The tennis organization disqualified itself more than Novak Djokovic, says renowned academician
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic had to leave the United States early after being disqualified from the US Open in the fourth round. Playing against Pablo Carreno Busta, Djokovic lost his cool and accidentally hit a line judge with the ball, leading to a default.
Serbian academician Matija Beckovic, however, believes that the Americans tried to drag Djokovic to the ground with their decision. In an interview with Hello!, Matija Beckovic opined that if Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal did something like that, the officials would not have reacted the way they did with Novak Djokovic.
Beckovic further lauded the 2020 Australian Open winner for not protesting on the court, and added that this controversy wouldn't significantly impact him.
Novak Djokovic has always been above everyone and above everything: Beckovic
Matija Beckovic has expressed rich public admiration for Novak Djokovic's character and work over the last few years. Giving his view on the latest controversy surrounding the Belgrade-based player, Beckovic said:
"I am afraid that the tennis organization disqualified itself more than him with that decision. And I don't believe that in a similar situation they would do it to someone else, and especially not to Federer or Nadal."
Novak Djokovic has been in terrific form all year, winning 26 matches on the trot before being defaulted at the US Open. He was the overwhelming favorite to win the competition, and many believe that exiting the tourney in this manner might impact his mindset for the rest of the season.
However, Beckovic has a contrasting opinion on this matter.
"He has always been above everyone and above everything, so he will stay that way," Beckovic said. "The Americans will not be able to take that away because of one ball. He went too high to be dragged to the ground."
Beckovic on whether Novak Djokovic's default was a national tragedy in Serbia
Beckovic tried to draw some positives from this controversy and stated that Djokovic not protesting the organizers' decision was something that deserved applause. When asked if the 17-time Grand Slam winner's US Open default had become a national tragedy in his home country, the 80-year-old responded:
"Our world does not really understand tennis, nor is it our national sport. But our world saw his matches as squares in which we liked to see ourselves and how we would look when hit one on one in those conflicts. I am convinced that our Novak will come out of everything even stronger."
Novak Djokovic later tweeted that he would return to Europe soon and begin his preparations for the upcoming clay season. The Serb might feel better about his chances in France because the organizers have planned to invite around 5,000 spectators into Roland Garros.