Death threats sent to lineswoman struck by Novak Djokovic ball include one warning she’ll join her deceased son ‘soon’
THE lineswoman struck by Novak Djokovic’s errant ball have received death threats – including a post saying she’ll join her dead son “soon.”
The USTA didn’t want to confirm Laura Clark’s name because vicious trolls have reportedly been sending her abuse over the incident at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York on Sunday.
The Kentucky woman’s injury resulted in the highly favored Djokovic being disqualified – even though the Serbian player was the top seed to win the United States Open.
His fans were not impressed with the outcome and targeted Clark, writing hate-fueled comments on her public profile before it was put on private.
In 2008, her son Josh died motorcycle accident, reports said, and one sick fan told her “don’t worry, you’ll be there soon” in a disturbing Instagram comment.
“hahahahahahahahaha YEEEEES, YEEEEEEEES,” wrote another.
In fact, almost every one of the posts on her profile, which was set up in 2011, has been targeted by trolls who have called her “sick” and an “alcoholic.”
“You can drink gallons of alcohol but not survive a small tennis ball ?? Bad acting. Shameless,” one user bizarrely wrote on a picture of her promoting a wine company.
Clark, who is from Owensboro, is currently staying at a hotel where the tournament doctor is observing her.
She will return to work when she’s fit to do so, a source told the New York Post.
Meanwhile, Djokovic issued a groveling apology on social media, saying the “whole situation has left me really sad and empty” after he hit the ball in frustration yesterday.
“I checked the line person and the tournament told me that thank goodness she’s feeling good,” he wrote. “I am extremely sorry for causing her so much stress. So unintentionally. So wrong.
“I will not disclose her name to respect her privacy. As for the disqualification, I have to go back in and work on my disappointment and turn it all into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and human.
“I apologize to the US Open tournament and everyone involved for my behavior.
“I am very grateful to my team and family for being my rock support, and my fans for always being there with me. Thanks and I’m so sorry. ‘
The incident sparked a huge reaction online when Clark fell to the ground, apparently in great pain, before Djokovic came to see if she was okay.
Djokovic had flicked a ball to the backcourt after losing the match’s 11th game – but it struck the unsuspecting lineswoman.
Djokovic was kicked out of the tournament as a result the “reckless” action, in-keeping with Grand Slam “abuse of ball” guidelines.
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Denis Shapovalov, who was also booted out of a 2017 David Cup match for accidentally hitting a ball at a linesman’s eye, weighed in on the controversy.
“I’ve been through that myself,” Shapovalov told the Post. “Honestly, I feel awful for him. I feel terrible for everybody. Nobody wants to be in this situation.
“Just a fluke. It’s accidents like this that happen. Same thing with me.”