Novak Djokovic admits close call after ball kid incident - “I was lucky there and I'm sorry for causing any distress”

Novak Djokovic advanced to the third round of the Australian Open without major incidents against Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp by 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) and continues in the race in search of his 25th Grand Slam title. The Serbian reached 400 wins in Grand Slam main draws – an absolute record in the history of tennis.

“It was great to win in straight sets. It was a really tough third set. He was playing really well, aggressive,” assured the world No. 4 in press conference. “It was a great test for me and I'm glad to overcome this challenge in straight sets, particularly winning that third was mentally important for me moving forward.”

The duel against Van de Zandschulp was marked by a tense moment in the second set, when Nole hit a ball that was close to hitting a ball girl – which could have potentially meant his disqualification, something that surely brought back memories of the 2020 US Open – when he was disqualified in the middle of his fourth-round match.

“Yeah, I apologise for that,” commented the Serbian regarding the situation with the ball kid in the second set. “That was not necessary in the heat of the moment. I was lucky there and I'm sorry for causing any distress to the ball kid or anybody.”

The Serbian now awaits his fourth-round clash against the complicated Jakub Mensik – precisely the player who defeated him in the final of the Miami Open 2025, winning his first Masters 1000 title and giving the definitive boost to his career. This time, the 20-year-old will look to strike Djokovic once again.

A complicated match is anticipated for Nole, who up to this point has overcome the first three rounds in straight sets. In previous major tournaments, the lack of energy toward the later matches has been an element that has harmed Nole, and he was asked whether it is a concern to spend little time on court in the preliminary rounds.

“I try not to think about managing energy in terms of saving something. I don't think that's the right mindset,” he said. “It's important to get the most out of yourself on a given day. I try to do it as efficiently as possible. I've won nine out of nine sets so far. I couldn't ask for more.”

“I cannot predict the future. I'm doing everything I can. I haven't practiced much between rounds, being strategic with my team,” the 10-time Australian Open champion added. “Every day we evaluate what's the right thing to do. Slams help with the day in between, but it's best of five. There's more tension and stress, but it's nothing I'm not used to. I'm happy to be where I am and hoping for the best.”

Nole also took the time to analyse the present of American tennis, absolute dominators of the Tour when Djokovic was taking his first steps as a professional, but who in the last two decades have been displaced by European players.

“I don't think that the U.S. is lacking any tournaments. You have obviously the US Open. Any country that has a Grand Slam has the biggest budget in the sport. It's one of the richest federations, so I think the support was always there,” the Serbian mentioned. “It could be different factors. It could be some of the things that you mentioned with the way the game evolved and maybe there was a period where the American players weren't able to adapt as good as maybe Europeans in the last couple of decades.”

You could argue that's one of the things. Look, I think eventually you have Ben Shelton now and some young guys. One of them playing now, Quinn, tall, big serve, big game. They're all knocking on the door.”

Not only the Big 3 with Federer, Nadal and Nole himself have kept the dominance of the Tour, but the biggest challenges came from several European players – Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, Dominic Thiem and Marin Cilic among those who won Grand Slam titles – as well as the current dominance of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, all European players.

“I don't think you're lacking players. It's just maybe at the moment you don't have someone that would take it to the next step and play for Grand Slams and be the top player in the world,” Djokovic added. “That could change very quickly because the women's tennis is doing very well currently with American players. I think there's not too big of a reason for concern.”

In the women's game, it has not only been the dominance of Serena Williams that has made Americans stand out, as they have had several Grand Slam champions in the last decade: Sloane Stephens, Sofia Kenin, Madison Keys and Coco Gauff have lifted Grand Slam trophies, while in the men's game there has not been an American champion since the 2003 US Open when Andy Roddick defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final.

“With incredible talent, the amount of coaches there, also international coaches contributing to American players and development, eventually you're going to have big champions. It's just a matter of time.”