Fabio Fognini on Novak Djokovic default: Could happen to everybody but never to me

World No. 13 Fabio Fognini reflected on the Novak Djokovic US Open default as he said that could happen to everybody but never to him. 

World No. 1 Djokovic was defaulted from his US Open round-of-16 clash against after hitting the lines women with the ball. 

Djokovic did everything he could to explain it was unintentional but the rules were clear and he was defaulted. 

"It could happen to everybody. ... It was unlucky, a shame. Could happen to everybody. Never to me. Maybe to Kyrgios," Fognini said of the Djokovic default, per Ben Rothenberg.

Fabio Fognini on Djokovic default: "It could happen to everybody. ... It was unlucky, a shame. Could happen to everybody. Never to me. Maybe to Kyrgios."

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 14, 2020

Djokovic admitted his mistake 

Days later, Djokovic said what he did was wrong but added that he is now focused on the present and that he wants to move on.

"The rules are clear," Djokovic said, per the Associated Press. "So I accepted it. I had to move on and that’s what I did."

"I’m going to take this in as profound as possible for me as a big lesson. I’ve been thinking about it. I’ve been comprehending. I’ve been talking to my team. It’s just one of these things that is just unfortunate and happens. You have to move on.”

The incident drew lots of attention and 17-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic was sorry for the drama it caused.

"I felt really sorry to cause the shock and drama to her, because she didn’t deserve that in any way," Djokovic said. She obviously is volunteering and doing her work. She loves tennis, and she’s been there, as I understood, for quite a few years."

After the default, Djokovic left the US Open without giving a post-match press conference but later posted a statement on his social media.

"This whole situation has left me really sad and empty. 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," Djokovic wrote.

"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 @usopen tournament and everyone associated for my behavior. I’m very grateful to my team and family for being my rock support, and my fans for always being there wit"

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3mmuATV