Novak, Never, Never Wants to Hit the Line Umpire: Pablo Carreno Busta Defends Novak Djokovic

Pablo Carreno Busta has finally given his reaction on the entire Novak Djokovic fiasco. In case you’ve been living under a rock, Djokovic was disqualified from the US Open after accidentally hitting a lineswoman.

Pablo was Novak’s opponent on the unfortunate day. The Spaniard was displaying exemplary tennis as he broke Novak’s serve at 5-5. That was when Djokovic lost his temper and hit the ball at the unsuspecting lineswoman.

Pablo revealed that he didn’t see the exact moment. When he realized what had happened, the lineswoman was already on the floor.

However, he was absolutely shocked to see Novak in that spot.

“I never expected this moment playing against Novak, you know. So it was tough moment also to me.

“And then when they was talking on the net, I just try to be focused if the case that we have to continue playing. In one moment I ask to the referee, What’s happen? Because I didn’t know if — it was so long, to me, no, this moment.”

Finally, Novak let him know that the match was over and the Spaniard was through to the quarters.

“This was not intentional” – Pablo Carreno Busta defends Novak Djokovic

It’s fairly obvious that Novak never intended for things to unfold the way they did. Pablo agrees with this viewpoint.

“No, of course I think this was not intentional. I don’t think that any one of us, of the players, do this kind of thing intentional, you know. It’s just the moment. It’s just I broke him the serve, and, you know, he throw the ball.

“I think that it was bad luck, no? You cannot do this, but of course I think that Novak never, never wants to hit the line umpire.”

Busta further revealed that he was very shocked when the incident happened. He was trying to collect his senses and remain calm. However, when the world number one is all over the place, how can you stay relaxed?

Coming to the question regarding Novak’s plan to form a new association of players, Pablo was indirect in his answering. However, he made it clear that both these events should not be related.

“Well, I don’t know. I suppose that he will explain the moment, no? Of course it’s a tough moment for him. It will be if the case that I was the guy who do this.

“But, you know, I don’t think that these kind of things and the association works together. These are different things, different questions. The association is not the moment for — I think that it’s not the moment to speak about the association. Novak is a great player, he’s a great person. I think that he don’t want to do this, of course.”

Novak’s loss is Pablo’s gain. The Spaniard will be through to the quarters and this incident shouldn’t downgrade his achievement. He has played amazingly during the entire tournament.

It will be interesting to see if he can become the first person in a while to break the Big 3 hegemony.