Novak Djokovic was disqualified from US Open in 2020 for hitting line judge in neck with ball now he’s back chasing calendar Grand Slam glory

Novak Djokovic is chasing his own slice of history at the US Open by trying to be the first man since 1969 to win all four Grand Slams in the same calendar year.

The Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon were all secured and he has started well at Flushing Meadows.

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But all four could have already been in his grasp if things had worked out a little differently.

The 'Serena Slam', so-called after Serena Williams when a player holds all four Grand Slams but not in the same calendar year, may have been his by now if he hadn’t been controversially kicked out of the US Open a year ago.

The world number one was playing Pablo Carreno Busta in the fourth round on an empty Arthur Ashe Stadium and dropped his serve to trail 6-5 in the opening set.

In frustration at losing a game, Djokovic took a ball out his pocket and hit it towards the back of the court – unintentionally hitting a line judge in the face.

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He immediately went to check up on her, but following a lengthy discussion between tournament officials and the Serb, he was disqualified.

Despite Djokovic’s protestations, he collected his rackets and exited the tournament when he likely had a good chance of winning.

Dominic Thiem went on to win the US Open in 2020.

“This whole situation has left me really sad and empty,” he wrote after the event on Instagram.

“I checked on the lines person and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling ok. I‘m extremely sorry to have caused her such stress. So unintended. So wrong. I’m not disclosing her name to respect her privacy.

“As for the disqualification, I need to go back within and work on my disappointment and turn this all into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and human being. I apologize to the US Open tournament and everyone associated for my behavior.

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”I’m very grateful to my team and family for being my rock support, and my fans for always being there with me. Thank you and I’m so sorry.”

Now Djokovic has firmly put the incident behind him and is targeting his 21st career Grand Slam, to overtake Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, while also being the first man since Rod Laver to hold all four in the same year.

Fortunately for him, there are no line judges at the 2021 US Open with all calls being made by technology.