Pavel Kotov came close to being disqualified from his first-round match at the 2024 Australian Open after a reckless incident that left a ball girl terrified.
The world No 64 required five sets to defeat Arthur Rinderknech in their opening match at Melbourne Park as he came away with a 7-5, 6-1, 6-7 (6-8), 6-7 (5-7), 6-3.
But the match was marred by an ugly scene as Kotov’s frustrations boiled after he lost a point.
The Russian grabbed the ball and smashed it against the back wall with the ball nearly hitting a ball girl who was in position to collect balls.
The girl cowered for cover and was clearly worried that the ball was going to hit her.
Had the ball hit the girl, then Kotov would have been disqualified but he got away with it as rules stipulate that hitting a spectator or official results in an immediate default.
Grand Slam rules state: “Players shall not violently, dangerously or with anger hit, kick or throw a tennis ball within the precincts of the tournament site except in the reasonable pursuit of a point during a match (including warm-up).”
Tennis great Novak Djokovic was infamously disqualified from his fourth-round match at the 2020 US Open after he inadvertently hit a line judge when he frustratingly tried to return a ball to a ball child. The ball ended up hitting the official in the throat and the Serbian was defaulted.
READ MORE: Novak Djokovic cops additional fine for ‘unsportsmanlike conduct’ following US Open default
Social media users were disgusted by his display with one writing on Instagram: “As a parent of a ballkid I find it absolutely disgusting that he was not disqualified from the AO. The ballkids are all volunteers and do not deserve to feel scared or threatened whilst they are on duty.”
Another added: “Where is the disciplinary action by match referee and tournament referee. He should have lost points and been fined plus had to publicly apologise. The standard you walk by is the one you accept. AO take action now!!!!!”
The theme continued with fans outraged.
“Time tennis Australia needs to stamp hard on this unruly bad tempered behaviour, have some RESPECT for those ball kids,” one person wrote.
Someone added: “Tennis is a growing sport of spoilt brats that don’t know how to behave.
“Should be a crackdown of petulance and general lack of self control. Any sport where you act out like that, rugby, football, (team sports ) you are instantly penalised.”
Sunday’s victory was Kotov’s first-ever at a Grand Slam as he lost his four previous first-round encounters.
The 25-year-old will continue his 2024 Australian Open campaign on Wednesday and he will take on either Nicolas Jarry or Flavio Cobolli.
