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Live sport on SN this weekendAO Live: Djokovic apologies to ballkid after nearly being disqualified
SEN •  January 25th, 2026 1:40 pm
Welcome to SEN.com.au's live blog for Day 8 of the Australian Open.
It's set to be a cracking day of tennis for what is now the middle Sunday of the tournament.
Both World No. 1s, Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka, will be in action at Rod Laver Arena due to the present smoke around Melbourne Park.
And that will lead into Alex de Minuar's blockbuster clash against the No. 10 seed Alexander Bulbik, with the Aussie looking to make back-to-back quarterfinal appearances at his home slam.
Make sure to keep up to date with all the big moments right here.
11:20am DJOKOVIC APOLOGIES TO BALLKID OVER NEAR DISQUALIFICATION
The 10-time Australian Open champion almost saw his bid for an 11th title go up in smoke overnight in his third round match against Botic van de Zandschulp at Rod Laver Arena.
During the seventh game of the second set of that match (which he won in straight sets), Djokovic lost a point and reacted by hitting the ball.
That ball was hit in the direction of the ballkid crouching at the net, with it just sailing over her head.
This prompted the chair umpire to give the Serbian a stern stare.
Following the conclusion of the match, Djokovic would apologise, saying that it was not necessary.
"Yeah, I apologised for that," he said in his press conference.
"That was not necessary, and in the heat of the moment.
"I was lucky there, and I'm sorry for causing any distress to the ballkid or anybody."
It's not the first time that he has had issues with a misdirected hit.
During the 2020 US Open, the Serbian was disqualified after accidentally hitting a ball that struck a line judge.
He now faces the Czech Republic's Jakub Mensik in the fourth round.
Image credit: Channel 9
