New York: Novik Djokovic was defaulted from the US Open on Sunday after his careless crack at a tennis ball hit an official. The World-no-1 had just dropped serve in the 11^th game of his fourth round match against Spain’s Pablo Carreno-Busta.

He reacted by swinging at a ball which caught the throat of a lineswomen at the rear of the Arthur Ashe Staduim Court. Djokovic rushed to her side, as did doctor and physiotherapist. The lines umpire was escorted of court shortly after.

Tournament referee Soeren Friemel later told media that the line umpire had been hurt and in pain. The 30 year old Serb pleaded his case to the trio of Friemel, Grand Slam Supervisor Andreas Egli and Chair umpire Aurelie Tourte. Djokovic said his action wasn’t intentional, it wasn’t intended to hurt.

He called attention to his career and the stage, a Grand Slam. After ten minutes of asserting the facts, Friemel defaulted the top seeded player.