An event that has already seen many firsts, saw another one. A big one. Novak Djokovic was defaulted from the US Open 2020 after hitting a ball in frustration that unfortunately caught a lineswoman in the throat. This opens up the field for many other players. German tennis sensation Alexander Zverev is one of those stars.

Zverev admitted that Novak Djokovic was very unlucky for something like this to happen. However, as per him, a rule is a rule. “I mean, look, it’s unfortunate. He hit a ball, he hit a tennis ball. It’s very unfortunate that you know, he hit the line judge, and especially where it hit her,” Zverev said after his fourth-round win.

“Yeah, there is a rule in place for it. I think the supervisors and all of them are just doing their job. But, yeah, very unlucky for Novak. I think he’s going to be a little bit upset about it, but, yeah,” Zverev further said.

Zverev reveals thoughts on the Novak Djokovic incident

Alexander Zverev further stressed how unfortunate it was for Djokovic to have hit the lineswoman.

“He could have, if he would have hit it anywhere else if it would have landed anywhere else. We are talking about a few inches, he would have been fine. So, yeah, very unlucky,” he continued.

Zverev reiterated that the supervisors and match referee were just doing their job and had to follow the rules. “I mean, I don’t know what to say. I’m a little bit in shock right now, to be honest,” Zverev said.

New Grand Slam winner at US Open 2020

Djokovic’s withdrawal means there will be a new Grand Slam champion at the US Open 2020. Zverev gave his views on the same and feels Dominic Thiem has a strong chance to win.

“There’s going to be a new Grand Slam champion. That’s all I know right now. It’s going to be one of the young guys, I think, if you count Dominic Thiem as a young guy, as well. He obviously has a chance to win, as well,” Zverev said.

At the same time, he is also well aware of his own chances. “Now it gets interesting. Now I think is the time where it gets really interesting. Yeah, I know who is where in the draw. I know who I can play. I know who the rest of the guys can play,” he added.

Djokovic’s withdrawal means that at least one of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and himself will not be in a Grand Slam quarter-final for the first time since 2004.