Australian Open 2026: Novak Djokovic qualifies after default fears, bids farewell to Stan Wawrinka

The incident occurred after ten-time champion Djokovic, who was leading 6-3 and 4-2 at the time, witnessed a quick comeback from world number 75 Van de Zandschulp.

In a split second, Djokovic crossed the ball to the left.

Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash, who was analyzing the third-round match for BBC Radio 5 Live, said: “I don’t even think he knew the ball boy was there. But he was three inches away from defaulting.”

“He pulled it off in an area where nine times out of 10 it was probably going to be shorthanded. He somehow managed to slip between the ball kid and the spectators on the left.”

In New York just over five years ago, this was a clear-cut case.

Djokovic took a ball out of his pocket and hit it behind him, hitting the lineman in the throat.

It was an infamous incident for which the Serbian quickly apologized, saying it had left him “really sad and empty”.

Given that he felt he needed to apologize again in Melbourne, many will wonder whether Djokovic has learned his lesson.

He also fell awkwardly during the third set and shortly afterwards received treatment for a blister on his right foot.

But in the end, Djokovic won in two hours and 44 minutes, maintaining his record of never dropping a set at this tournament, and reducing the workload could prove crucial to his hopes of winning a record 25th Grand Slam title.

He will play Czech Jakub Mincic, seeded sixteenth, in the fourth round.