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Jonathan White

The female line judge hit with a ball by men’s world No 1 Novak Djokovic on Sunday, resulting in his disqualification from the US Open, has been subjected to vile abuse on social media by his fans.
These have included death threats, claims she is an alcoholic and sick comments about her son Josh, who the Daily Mail report died aged 25 in 2008.
The targeted abuse of the judge, since named as Laura Clark, began once her Instagram details were leaked by Serbian media. Djokovic is a superstar in his homeland and fans were quick to comment.
Clark’s Instagram profile was not set to private so other users were able to leave more than 1,000 comments on photos going back to when she opened her account in 2011.

Video of severals comment around the lineswoman's Instagram. This is horrible. Novak Djokovic's fans keep blaming her for his default. Awful. pic.twitter.com/Uce3ywNBPE
— gabrielle | #BLM (@backhandology) September 7, 2020

In his own apology on social media, Djokovic deliberately made no mention of Clark’s name, while the US Open were similarly protective.
“This whole situation has left me really sad and empty,” he wrote on Instagram in the hours after leaving Flushing Meadows following the incident.

Since some people released the lineswoman’s IG i just checked comments on her first picture. This is scary. These are just some of the comments. pic.twitter.com/s6aFP5YiWD
— Nawal (@NawalNadal) September 7, 2020

“I checked on the lines person and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling ok. I’m extremely sorry to have caused her such stress. So unintended. So wrong. I’m not disclosing her name to respect her privacy.”
That privacy was stripped away elsewhere before the comments flooded in.
Djokovic later called on his fans – known by the NoleFam hashtag online – pleading with them to support Clark.

Dear #NoleFam thank you for your positive messages.. Please also remember the linesperson that was hit by the ball last night needs our community’s support too. She’s done nothing wrong at all. I ask you to stay especially supportive and caring to her during this time. (1/2)
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) September 7, 2020

“Dear #NoleFam thank you for your positive messages,” he wrote on Twitter on Monday. “Please also remember the linesperson that was hit by the ball last night needs our community’s support too. She’s done nothing wrong at all. I ask you to stay especially supportive and caring to her during this time.”
Those pleas were praised online but still fell on deaf ears as others made fun of the incident.
Responses across social media to a ball fired at the wall by Djokovic hitting her in the throat included memes of people falling over and being likened to the supposed theatrics of footballers.

Folks, I’m have zero tolerance for anyone critiquing the reaction of the woman who got hit squarely in the throat by a tennis ball moving at decent speed off the racquet of a pro player. Grow a heart. https://t.co/dN6xmEXTxf
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 7, 2020

Criticism of the abuse Clark has recieved has been widespread in the tennis community.
Tennis writer Ben Rothenberg was among those to weigh in on Twitter.
“Folks, I have zero tolerance for anyone critiquing the reaction of the woman who got hit squarely in the throat by a tennis ball moving at decent speed off the racquet of a pro player. Grow a heart,” he wrote.


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US Open: Novak Djokovic line judge subjected to vile social media abuse

Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tend to the line judge who was struck by a ball hit by Djokovic at Flushing Meadows. Photo: USA Today

US Open: Novak Djokovic apologises after being disqualified for hitting line judge

Novak Djokovic checks on the line judge he hit with the ball, leading to his exit from the US Open. Photo: EPA

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Novak Djokovic of Serbia and a tournament official tend to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic on Sunday. Photo: Danielle Parhizkaran/USA Today

Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, shakes hands with Pablo Carreno Busta, of Spain, after defaulting the match during the fourth round of the US Open tennis championships, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020, in New York. Djokovic inadvertently hit a line judge with a ball after hitting the ball in reaction to losing a point to Carreno Busta. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 29: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates a point against Milos Raonic of Canada in the men's singles final of the Western & Southern Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 29: Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot to Milos Raonic of Canada in the men's singles final of the Western & Southern Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

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Tennis


Comments including death threats appear on social media after her identity is leaked by Serbian media
World No 1 pleads for fans to show support but there has been a torrent of abuse for US Open official



Comments including death threats appear on social media after identity of line judge hit by Djokovic is leaked by Serbian media.


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