Djokovic Says 'So Sorry' but Feels Shouldn't Have Been
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Lionel Messi trains alone as Barca integration begins paGE 14 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 Djokovic says ‘so sorry’ but feels shouldn’t have been disqualified AFP “She was clearly hurt and cation but said officials had NEW YORK This whole situation has left me really sad in pain. There was no other made the correct decision. option,” he told reporters. “Right call!” former wom- NOVAK Djokovic was dra- and empty, “thank God” the woman was okay. The Serbian star is one of en’s world number one Tracy matically disqualified from the I’m extremely sorry to have caused her such stress. only a handful of players to be Austin wrote on Twitter. US Open on Sunday after acci- So unintended. So wrong. disqualified from a men’s sin- Four-time US Open cham- dentally striking a female lines gles tournament at a Grand pion Martina Navratilova said judge with a ball in frustra- Novak Djokovic Slam since John McEnroe officials “had no choice” but tion during his last-16 match, was infamously tossed from to default Djokovic. sending shock waves through the Australian Open in 1990. Former British number the tournament. referee Soeren Friemel, during nament organisers for “my be- Djokovic had been chas- one Greg Rusedski described The world No. 1 apologised which the world number one havior” but did not say wheth- ing an 18th Grand Slam title the disqualification as “unbe- for hitting the ball in disgust pleaded his case. er he thought they were right at the Billie Jean King US Na- lievable” but said officials had after losing his serve to go 6-5 The umpire then declared to default him. tional Tennis Center. made the “correct decision.” down in the first set to Spain’s that Carreno Busta had won by The United States Tennis He was hoping to close the A USTA spokesperson 20th seed Pablo Carreno Busta default. Djokovic shook hands Association said Djokovic had gap on Roger Federer and Ra- said the line judge was “doing inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. with his opponent before leav- been defaulted under the Grand fael Nadal, both absent from okay” after receiving treat- Djokovic appeared to be ing the court without appear- Slam rules for “intentionally the tournament, in the race ment from medical staff. looking the other way when he ing to shake the umpire’s hand. hitting a ball dangerously or for the all-time men’s Slam Djokovic had been the pulled the ball from his pocket He went then directly to recklessly within the court or singles title record. overwhelming favorite to cap- and smacked it in the direction his car and left the Flushing hitting a ball with negligent dis- Djokovic is on 17, with Na- ture a fourth US Open title. of the official, it hitting her full Meadows site in New York regard of the consequences.” dal on 19 and Federer on 20. His disqualification toss in the throat. without speaking to reporters. The body added that he Carreno Busta said he did blows the men’s draw wide The official cried out and Djokovic, 33, later posted would lose all ranking points not see the incident. open and means it will crown began gasping for air as she an apology on Instagram say- and prize money from the “I was celebrating the a first-time Grand Slam win- collapsed to the ground. ing he was “so sorry.” tournament. break with my coach,” he ner next Sunday. Djokovic rushed over to “This whole situation has Referee Friemel said told reporters. When I heard “Now it gets interesting,” check on her, placing his hand left me really sad and empty,” Djokovic told him he should that the line judge was on the said fifth seed Alexander on her back as she struggled to he wrote, adding that “thank not be defaulted because it floor I was in shock. I never Zverev, who described Djoko- breathe. After a few minutes God” the woman was okay. was unintentional. expected this moment when vic as “very unlucky.” she got up and walked off the “I’m extremely sorry to Friemel said he agreed playing Novak. “It’s going to be one of the Novak Djokovic walks off the court after being defaulted due to court looking dazed. have caused her such stress. there was no intent but that it “I think it was bad luck,” young guys,” who wins, Zverev inadvertently striking a lineswoman with a ball hit in frustration Around ten minutes of dis- So unintended. So wrong,” was a clear-cut case of Djoko- he added. added after becoming the first during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at US Open on Sunday. cussions then ensued between Djokovic said. vic hitting the ball “angrily Former players reacted German to reach the US Open (GETTY IMAGES/AFP) See also page 15 Djokovic and the tournament He also apologised to tour- and recklessly.” with shock at the disqualifi- last eight since 2007. QNB Stars League games 5-Star Al Sadd cruise to win; venues chosen based on specific mechanism: QSL Boli’s brace fires Al Rayyan QNA confirmed that Education City DOHA would be among the stadiums hosting the AFC Champions Al Kharaitiyat THE Qatar Stars League (QSL) League, it added. has emphasised that there is a With regard to not holding edge Qatar SC specific mechanism to choose more than one match a day at 2-1 in QNB Stars the venues for QNB Stars the Education City Stadium, it League matches for the season is difficult at present as the sta- League 2020-2021, the most impor- dium will soon host a number of tant of which is their readiness AFC Champions League match- AYENI OLUSEGUN to host matches and schedule es, QSL said in the press release. DOHA of periodic maintenance ap- proved and specified by the AL Sadd continued their im- Ministry of Culture and Sports pressive start to the season and Supreme Committee for with a 5-1 thumping of Al Sail- Delivery and Legacy, besides iya at the Education City Sta- coordination with all relevant dium on Monday and remain stakeholders. top of the QNB Stars League. A meeting was held with The Wolves have bagged club coaches on Sunday, and 10 goals in their opening two their suggestions and observa- matches, with new signing tions were taken into consid- Santi Cazorla proving his class eration in decision-making. once more. In a press release, issued In the other matches on on Sunday, on stadiums to Monday, Al Kharaitiyat edged be used and the schedule of Regarding the start of Qatar SC 2-1, while Yohan matches for the first weeks 2020-2021 season and some Boli’s brace helped Al Rayyan of the season, QSL noted enquiries about this timing, beat Al Gharafa 3-1. Al Sadd players celebrate scoring against Al Sailiya during their QNB Stars League match at the Education City Stadium on Monday. that Al Janoub Stadium and QSL said that the calendar for Heading into the game with Jassim bin Hamad Stadium this season is hectic due to the the AFC Champions League on hosted the last five rounds of large number of events, tourna- their minds, Al Sadd got off to Results 2019-2020 season QNB Stars ments and various participa- an attacking start as Baghdad Al Sadd 5 (Hassan Al League (30 matches), which tions, be it for clubs or national Bounedjah blazed two quick made it necessary for these teams, as it has been taken into chances over the bar. Haydos 7’, Santi Cazorla venues to undergo regular account after studying and dis- The Wolves, though, were (pen) 30’, Baghdad maintenance. Regarding the cussing all perceptions, options not to be denied for long and Khalifa International Stadi- and proposals with the relevant soon found the net just seven Bounedjah 59’, Nam um, it is currently being pre- authorities and partners. minutes in. A delightful diago- Tae-hee 81’, Ahmed pared to host the AFC Cham- The QSL affirms that it con- nal pass from Santi Cazorla pions League. siders all clubs as equal. The picked out Hassan al Haydos Sayyar 88’) bt Al Sailiya Regarding the Educa- relationship is reiterated by a on the right, and the Qatari 1 (Majdi Siddiq 41’) tion City Stadium hosting the close bond of values, solid foun- took the ball in stride before Al Kharaitiyat 2 matches of Al Sadd and Al dation and firm principles that lifting the ball over the onrush- Duhail in the first rounds of uphold equality, justice and ing Lecomte with a deft finish. (Mohammed Osman QNB Stars League, this deci- mutual respect, especially since Cazorla soon made it with 20’, Kayke Rodrigues sion was taken after the AFC clubs are partners of success. his third goal in two matches’. The Spaniard converted from 50’ OG) bt Qatar SC 1 the spot after Pedro Miguel Al Rayyan’s Yacine Brahimi celebrates Yohan Boli’s goal during their QNB Stars League match at the (Mehdi Berrahma 75’) was fouled in the box. Al Gharafa Stadium on Monday. Al Sailiya grew into the Al Rayyan 3 (Yohan Boli Quick read match in search of a goal, and Sadd struggled to get out of their 81st minute before substitute tion for Qatar SC. 25’, 71’, Yacine Brahimi John Catlin clinches Andalucia Masters they were rewarded in the 41st own half. Bezerra and Ham- Ahmed Bader Sayyar com- Meanwhile, Al Rayyan got minute as captain Majdi Siddiq oudan had chances to score for pleted the rout with a lovely back to winning ways as Boli, 90+3’) bt Al Gharafa 1 with highest winning score in 28 years shrugged off his marker before the Peregrines, but The Wolves lob over the goalie after a pass and Yacine Brahimi sealed a (Jonathan Kodija 90’) SOTOGRANDE (Spain): John Catlin of the United States clinched the finding the bottom corner with held firm and saw their lead ex- from Rodrigo Tabata.