TENNIS world No.1 Novak Djokovic apologized for his accidental hitting of a lineswoman with a ball in the Round of 16 at the U.S. Open on Sunday. He said he was “extremely sorry” for the accident and that it was not intentional.

Djokovic has long divided opinion over his outspoken nature and petulant tendencies, but the 33-year-old Serb crossed the line Sunday as he became the first world No.1 disqualified from a Grand Slam singles tournament.

The shocking incident happened when he lost his serve to go 6-5 down in the first set to Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta during the fourth round of the U.S. Open. He showed his frustration by taking a ball out of his pocket and smacking it behind him, hitting a female line judge in the throat.

Djokovic clearly did not aim for the referee, but when he saw her collapse to the ground, he rushed to check on her. He attempted to console her by putting his hand on her back, while chair umpire Aurelie Tourte and tournament referee Soeren Friemel also joined him on the court.

Djokovic then had a heated conversation with Friemel before being thrown out of the tournament. “She doesn’t have to go to the hospital for this,” said Djokovic who pleaded for leniency. “You’re going to choose a default in this situation? My career, Grand Slam, center stage?”

As Friemel stood firm in his decision, Djokovic quickly left the stadium, leaving Carreno Busta stunned.

Djokovic didn’t attend the mandatory press conference to tell his side of the story, but hours after his exit, he took to Instagram to issue a public apology.

“This whole situation has left me really sad and empty. I checked on the lines person and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling OK,” he said.

“I’m extremely sorry to have caused her such stress. So unintended. So wrong. I’m not disclosing her name to respect her privacy. As for the disqualification, I need to go back within and work on my disappointment and turn this all into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and human being,” he added.

“I apologize to the U.S. Open tournament and everyone associated for my behavior. I’m very grateful to my team and family for being my rock support, and my fans for always being there with me. Thank you and I’m so sorry.”

Late Sunday, the U.S. Tennis Association explained the reasons behind Djokovic’s disqualification and confirmed that the top seed will lose all ranking points earned at the tournament and fined US$250,000 in prize money.

Friemel told reporters that he agreed Djokovic had no intention of hurting the referee but that it was a clear-cut case of the Serb hitting the ball “angrily and recklessly.”

“She was clearly hurt and in pain. There was no other option,” he said.(SD-Agencies)