WASHINGTON, September 9, 2020 (by Michael Dickens)
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who was defaulted from his fourth-round US Open match after he unintentionally struck a ball that hit a line judge in the throat on Sunday, took to social media on Monday to urge trolls who had penned threatening and cruel posts about the lineswoman to stop. He told them to be both “supportive and caring.”
The trolls accused the lineswoman on social media of faking her discomfort. While U.S. Open officials had been reluctant to release her name, The Washington Post on Tuesday reported that “a news outlet in Serbia posted her Instagram account, which has since been deleted.”
There was a sense of urgency for Djokovic to speak out against the trolls and to also address his fans, which he did on social media Monday evening.
Djokovic wrote: “Dear #NoleFam thank you for your positive messages. Please also remember the linesperson that was hit by the ball last night needs our community’s support too. She’s done nothing wrong at all. I ask you to stay especially supportive and caring to her during this time.
“From these moments, we grow stronger and we rise above. Sharing love with everyone. Europe here I come.”
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That winning look
Quarterfinals 😃🙌❤️⚡🤗 #usopen pic.twitter.com/Q9bmM301Qv
— Elise Mertens (@elise_mertens) September 8, 2020
By the numbers
3 of the 4 WTA matches y’day were longer than 3 of the 4 ATP matches:
Pironkova d Cornet, 2:49
Rublev d Berrettini, 2:42
Azarenka d Muchova, 2:30
S.Williams d Sakkari, 2:28
De Minaur d Pospisil, 2:17
Thiem d Auger-Aliassime, 2:07
Medvedev d Tiafoe, 1:38
Mertens d Kenin, 1:15— Alex Macpherson (@alex_macpherson) September 8, 2020
Vika on motherhood
Victoria Azarenka is one of three mothers along with Serena Williams and Tsvetana Pironkova who are playing in Wednesday’s US Open women’s singles quarterfinals.
No matter what changes, Vika is still Vika.@vika7 #USOpen pic.twitter.com/1t2WfxciwR
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2020
What we’re reading
Washington Post national sports reporter Chuck Culpepper’s analysis of Novak Djokovic.
In his “Novak Djokovic made a bizarre and uncomfortable exit from the U.S. Open. Of course he did.”, Culpepper suggests that Djokovic “has been, increasingly through the years, an excellent ambassador for his sport. He also has had one of the stormiest summers any great athlete ever had.”
Novak Djokovic made a bizarre and uncomfortable exit from the U.S. Open. Of course he did.
Read @ChuckCulpepper1 https://t.co/RHIiNRs9DS
— Post Sports (@PostSports) September 8, 2020
What they’re saying
• “I’ve heard lots of complaints about the US Open. Some, I think could be warranted but, on the whole, considering it was the first tournament back, it was a decent return to tennis. I’m concerned if we’re complaining now what happens when we get into the European season.” – John Millman, Australia
• “Sometimes you have the ranking, but not the budget, sometimes the budget, but not the visa, sometimes the visa, but not the budget, and sometimes a wildcard, but not the visa… Some have the privilege to fight on the court. Others struggle just to be on it …” – Ines Ibbou, Algeria
What they’re podcasting
Match Point Canada caught up with Felix Auger-Aliassime after he reached the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.
Hard to find a player on the men’s tour who generated more excitement during the first week of the #USOpen than Felix Auger Aliassime.
Felix talked to me yesterday on @MatchPointCAN about his experience in New York, the challenge of playing Thiem & more:https://t.co/GVQ1JGh15d
— Mike McIntyre (@McIntyreTennis) September 8, 2020
What they’re tweeting
That @naomiosaka came to @usopen with seven social justice masks – one for each round – tells you all you need to know about her level of quiet self-belief. Two to go….
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) September 9, 2020
What they’re sharing on social media
Elina Svitolina/ Ciao from Italy
Ciao from Italy 🛬🍝🇮🇹 @Excelljets pic.twitter.com/aDDBSyxA5z
— Elina Svitolina (@ElinaSvitolina) September 8, 2020
Dominic Thiem / Last 8
Last 8
📸:Pete Staples/USTA pic.twitter.com/7jneZzxoyU— Dominic Thiem (@ThiemDomi) September 7, 2020
espnW / That’s one way to win cornhole.
That’s one way to win cornhole @OlympiaOhanian 😂 pic.twitter.com/Agqj8ltujz
— espnW (@espnW) September 7, 2020
