Novak Djokovic suffers huge disqualification scare after actions at Wimbledon make crowd gasp

Novak Djokovic's heart might have been in his mouth during his fourth round match against Roman Safiullin at Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic must have had flashbacks to his 2020 US Open disqualification during his fourth-round Wimbledon encounter with Roman Safiullin on Sunday afternoon. The Serbian's heart will have been in his mouth when he attempted to knock a ball back to the ball kid, who was crouched beside the umpire's chair.

However, rather than directing the ball towards the youngster, it ricocheted off the umpire's seat instead.

Djokovic was disqualified from the American Grand Slam six years ago after striking a line judge, and a sharp gasp swept around Centre Court when the incident unfolded in just the third game of the match.

Djokovic made a flying start, breaking his opponent's serve in the opening game. However, his Russian rival hit back immediately to level at 1-1.

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In the third game, Safiullin's serve clipped the top of the net and a let was called. Djokovic attempted to cleverly return the speedy delivery to the ball boy so play could swiftly resume, but misjudged his angle entirely, sending the ball soaring far too high and producing a loud 'clunk' as it walloped the chair.

Djokovic is chasing a men's singles record on Centre Court today. He drew level with Roger Federer's 105 victories with his third-round triumph over No. 25 seed Arthur Rinderknech on Friday.

The 39-year-old is eager to keep entertaining the Wimbledon crowd for as long as his body will allow. "Well, we are in the entertainment business, as well. I think in the end of the day, you try to bring the quality for the people that pay tickets to come and watch you with your tennis," Djokovic said ahead of his clash with Safiullin.

"Also, I mean, for me at least, it was always trying to interact in one way or another with the crowd. Over the course of my career, I've had many exchanges with the crowd, good and bad.

"Sometimes you have matches where you just try to switch everything and everyone off and not really pay attention. Sometimes if there is a proposal happening and you see it, I think it's a nice moment if you say a few words. They'll remember it for a long time. Like it happened in, I think, first or second match that I played.

"Yeah, well, I mean, you're by yourself on the court, so there's a lot of emotions that you have to deal with and manage. Sometimes it's really hard to keep it all inside. Some are more expressive than others, I guess."

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