After inadvertently hitting a female line judge in the throat with a loose ball in the US Open, the world No 1, Novak Djokovic insists there is no reason to continue to use the line guard in this sport.
He has suggested the sport should consider a break from tradition in its use of on-court officials, and called for technology to be used on a wider scale.
“With all due my respect to the traditions and culture we have in this sport when it comes to the presence of people in the arena during matches, including line (judges), I don’t see a reason in any tournament in the world, in the latest technology era, would not have what we had during the Cincinnati/New York tournaments. Technology is getting more sophisticated now, there is no reason why you still keep the guard line on the ring. That is my opinion.”
“Of course, technology is very expensive, so this is related to economic problems. But I think we are growing now and sooner or later we have no reason to maintain our defensive line,” said Djokovic.
Djokovic previously left the US Open, after he hit a tennis ball towards the women’s goalkeeper.
The incident happened when Djokovic faced Spanish star, Pablo Carreno Busta.
