10 Most Controversial Tennis Disqualifications Ever: Part 1

Tennis is known as the "Gentleman’s Game," but occasionally, the pressure of the court leads to explosive moments that change the course of history. When a player is disqualified (defaulted), it doesn't just affect the tennis scores for that day; it ripples through world rankings and tournament legacies. In Part 1 of our series, we look at five of the most shocking exits in tennis history.

1. Novak Djokovic – US Open 2020

Perhaps the most famous recent default occurred during the 2020 US Open. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic was the heavy favorite to win. During his fourth-round match against Pablo Carreño Busta, a frustrated Djokovic hit a ball toward the back of the court. Unfortunately, the ball struck a line judge in the throat.

Despite it being unintentional, the rules are strict. The tennis scores were frozen at 5-6 in the first set, and Djokovic became the first top seed to be disqualified from a Grand Slam since 1990. It remains one of the most debated "accidents" in sporting history.

2. John McEnroe – Australian Open 1990

John McEnroe was no stranger to tantrums, but his disqualification at the 1990 Australian Open was a shock because he didn't realize the rules had changed. Previously, players were given four warnings before a default; in 1990, it was reduced to three.

McEnroe received warnings for intimidating a line judge, smashing a racket, and finally, verbally abusing the chair umpire. When the supervisor walked onto the court, the tennis scores in his match against Mikael Pernfors didn't matter anymore—McEnroe was out, leaving the Melbourne crowd in disbelief.

3. David Nalbandian – Queen’s Club 2012

In a moment of pure adrenaline-fueled anger, David Nalbandian cost himself a title. During the final against Marin Cilic, Nalbandian kicked a small wooden advertisement board surrounding a line judge’s chair. The board splintered and gashed the official's leg, causing it to bleed.

Nalbandian was immediately disqualified despite winning the first set. Fans who were tracking the tennis scores live were stunned to see the match end not with a trophy lift, but with a police investigation into the incident.

4. Serena Williams – US Open 2009

While technically a "point penalty" on match point that led to the end of the game, Serena Williams' 2009 exit felt like a disqualification to every fan watching. During her semi-final against Kim Clijsters, a foot fault was called against Serena. What followed was a heated confrontation with the lineswoman.

Because Serena had a prior warning, the resulting point penalty ended the match instantly. The final tennis scores reflected a 6-4, 7-5 win for Clijsters, but the headlines were dominated by the controversy for weeks.

5. Tim Henman – Wimbledon 1995

Before he became a British icon, Tim Henman suffered a moment of madness at Wimbledon. Playing doubles with Jeremy Bates, a young Henman reactionary smashed a ball in anger which accidentally hit a ball girl in the ear. Under the "Aggravated Behavior" code, Henman and Bates were disqualified. It was the first time in the Open Era that a player was defaulted at Wimbledon, proving that even "Tiger Tim" wasn't immune to the rules.

Conclusion

Disqualifications in tennis are rare, but they serve as a stark reminder that discipline is just as important as skill. Whether it’s a legend like Djokovic or a fiery personality like McEnroe, the rules of the ATP and WTA apply to everyone. These moments prove that until the final ball is hit and the tennis scores are made official, anything can happen on the court. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive into five more shocking disqualifications!