The tennis world reacts: “How many years would I be banned for?”

Novak Djokovic: “This whole situation leaves me really sad and empty. I asked about the linesman's health, thank God she feels okay. I am extremely sorry for causing such stress. So unintentional, so wrong. I need to process my disappointment and use it as a lesson for my growth and development as a player and person. I apologize to the US Open and everyone involved for my behavior.”

Sören Friemel (GER/US Open Referee): “We had no choice but to disqualify him. There are two factors - one is the action, the other is the result. There was no intention in the action. But the result of hitting and injuring a line judge is a major factor in the decision-making process. Disqualifying a player from a Grand Slam is a tough decision. But it doesn’t matter if it’s on the Ashe court, if it’s number one or another player.”

Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP/Djokovic opponent in case of disqualification): “I don’t think it was intentional. None of the players do this intentionally. I broke him before and he hit the ball. I think it was bad luck, right? You shouldn't do something like that, but of course I think that Novak never, ever wanted to meet the lineswoman. I’m very sorry because that’s not how I wanted to get to the quarter-finals.”

“Now it gets interesting” Alexander Zverev Alexander Zverev (GER/US Open quarterfinalist): “It is very unfortunate that he hit the linesman and especially where he hit her. Very unfortunate for Novak. I'm a bit shocked now. But now things get interesting. I’m not the only one who has a chance.”

Denis Shapovalov (CAN/US Open quarterfinalist, disqualified from Davis Cup in 2017 for a similar incident): “It’s super-unfortunate for everyone. I've been in that situation, so I know how Novak feels. It could have ended very badly for the linesman. Hopefully Novak can shake that off. He has to learn from it.”

“He’s going to be the bad guy for the rest of his career.” John McEnroe John McEnroe (USA/former number one and “bad boy”): “There was a lot of pressure on him. A lot happened off the court. It bothered him whether he wanted to or not. He'll be the bad guy for the rest of his career. If he accepts this role, he can come back. There's a lot going on for him, but he won't be able to erase it for himself. The fact that he didn't come to the press conference only makes it worse. Apologizing on Instagram isn’t enough.”

Martina Navratilova (USA/18-time Grand Slam winner): “It’s unbelievable what just happened. The officials had no choice but to disqualify.”

Billie Jean King (USA/12-time Grand Slam winner): “A rule is a rule. It’s unfortunate for everyone involved, but in this particular situation disqualification was the right decision.”

Tim Henman (GBR/former player): “It is the right decision. He didn't aim at the linesman, but he hit the ball away. You are responsible for your actions.”

Mats Wilander (SWE/seven-time Grand Slam winner): “It is not allowed to do something like that. It's about as bad luck as you can get in tennis. But he hit harder than necessary. It was a sign of frustration, yes. But it doesn’t matter, something like that is not allowed.”

Alex Corretja (ESP/former French Open finalist): “It's amazing how one centimeter can change not just the match, but the future of our sport, the history of our sport. With this rule you have to disqualify him. They had no other choice, it’s a shame.”

Nick Kyrgios (AUS/tennis player, “bad boy”): “If that had happened to me, I would have hit a ball kid in the throat with the ball. How many years would I have been banned for? 5? 10? 20?”

Patrick Mouratoglou (FRA/tennis coach of Serena Williams, among others): “I feel like Novak had too much on his plate. Trying to win the US Open is a big deal. Starting the player organization and running a campaign to convince players to do so is a full-time job and a lot of extra stress. Nobody can afford to lose focus at a Grand Slam.”

Bogdan Obradovic (former Serbian Davis Cup captain): “Novak ran a red light. I feel sorry for him, but the rules regarding misuse of the ball and racket are clear and apply to everyone. He dragged himself into the mud with this stupid mistake.”

Radmilo Armenulic (former Yugoslav Davis Cup coach): “I was hoping for a lighter sentence because Djokovic saved the US Open after Nadal and Federer's cancellations. They needed him there. But it seems like they were just waiting to exclude him. But he will come back because he is mentally strong.”

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The tennis world reacts: “How many years would I be banned for?”

The sensational disqualification of the high tournament favorite Novak Djokovic at the US Open shocked the tennis world. Here are the reactions.

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