Novak Djokovic nearly hits ball girl with ‘dangerous’ shot during Australian Open win over Botic van de Zandschulp

Novak Djokovic has come within a whisker of an instant disqualification during his third-round win over Botic van de Zandschulp at the Australian Open.

The 10-time champion appeared on track for a comfortable victory when he took the first set and led 3-0 in the second with a double break.

But the Dutchman broke back and then frustrated Djokovic with an outrageous passing shot the following game at deuce.

The very next point van de Zandschulp pushed a shot long and the Serbian wildly smashed it towards a ball girl kneeling near the net.

The kid had no chance to react, barely flinching as the ball flew past her head.

Had it hit her than there was every chance Djokovic would have been instantly disqualified.

Commentators quickly reacted in shock to the incident.

“That was dangerous,” Jim Courier said on Nine.

“Oh my goodness, it’s less than a metre from a default,” Colin Fleming said on the world feed.

“I’m in a bit of shock ... I was enjoying the battle and it’s good fun until someone snaps and Djokovic snapped there,” Fleming added.

Djokovic offered his hand up in a half-hearted apology to the girl.

He spoke about the incident after the match and said sorry.

“I apologise for that. That was not necessary. In the heat of the moment ... I was lucky there. I’m sorry for causing any distress to the ball kid or anybody,” he said.

He also copped a stern look from chair umpire John Blom, who also had words with Djokovic at the change of ends.

Djokovic does have history in this space, infamously copping an instant disqualification for hitting a lineswoman during the 2020 US Open.

The Serbian kept his emotions in check to win the second set, but there was more drama at the start of the third set when the took a tumble at the back of the court.

He immediately called for a medical timeout to get work done on his foot, but didn’t appear in too much discomfort when he returned to the court.

However, he was having trouble handling the power coming off the racquet of van de Zandschulp.

The world No.75 held set points in the 11th game, but couldn’t convert as Djokovic forced a tiebreaker.

The 24-time major champion surprisingly served two double faults in the tiebreaker, but still held his nerve to seal the match in straight sets 6-3 6-4 7-6(4).

With victory, the all-time great became the first player in history to win 400 matches at grand slam level.