No chance Roger Federer would be disqualified like Novak Djokovic: Nikola Pilic

Novak Djokovic’s disqualification from the ongoing US Open came as a massive shock for everyone in the tennis fraternity. Nobody expected the Serb to be eliminated from the tournament empty-handed, let alone in such a bizarre fashion.

What was more shocking to some people was the severity of the punishment meted out to Novak Djokovic. They believe his mistake didn’t warrant a total disqualification from the tournament.

In fact, many of Djokovic's fans have questioned whether the same punishment would have been given to someone like Roger Federer, who has had his fair share of on-court misdemeanors in the past.

Nikola Pilić commented on the DQ of Novak Đoković:"Do you think Federer would be kicked out for something like this? No way. This decision is tendentious."https://t.co/AzxwmXKzJz

— C Kristjánsdóttir ●🐊 (@CristinaNcl) September 7, 2020

Perhaps the highest-profile name to place Roger Federer under such scrutiny is one of Novak Djokovic’s first tennis coaches, Nikola Pilic. The Croat recently spoke to b92.net and said he believed the USO officials were biased in their decision-making.

Pilic even went on to say that the same decision would not have been taken in the case of Roger Federer.

Roger Federer would not be disqualified like Novak Djokovic: Nikola Pilic

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic

A World No. 1 getting disqualified from a Grand Slam is no daily occurrence. Any such decision requires extensive and unbiased analysis, after looking at the issue from all angles.

The referees in Novak Djokovic's case claim to have been unbiased too, and they took the decision after consulting with the tournament organizers. But the furor among Djokovic's ardent supporters - popularly called ‘Nolefam’ - has threatened to bubble over in the days since; they wholeheartedly believe the disqualification was unfair.

If Tennis was consistent with its rules I wouldn't have an issue with the default. But only recently Bedene had a warning and Federer has 2/3 times hit a ball boy/launched ball into stands and no default. We just want a level playing field from top to bottom; too much to ask for?

— Pavvy G (@pavyg) September 7, 2020

On the other hand, most former as well as current players have gone by the rule-book and stated that the punishment was justified.

As you'd expect, Roger Federer's name has kept finding its way into the conversations around Djokovic's disqualification. Most of the Serb's fans are arguing that the Swiss would never have been at the receiving end of such a decision, even citing Federer’s past misdemeanors of a similar nature to prove their point.

Roger Federer

Novak Djokovic’s former coach Nikola Pilic too has joined the club by questioning the supposedly preferential treatment received by Roger Federer. The Croat believes that Djokovic was wrongly disqualified, and that he should have been penalized by a game at the very most.

“In my opinion, Djokovic accidentally hit the referee ball," Pilic said. "I think he should have been punished with a confiscated game. It is not right to disqualify the first in the world because of this."

Novak Djokovic leaving the court after being disqualified.

Pilic wasn't convinced by the lineswoman's injury either, and he accused her of 'acting'. The Croat further went on to state that there was ‘no chance’ Roger Federer would have met a similar fate as Novak Djokovic, if he was plunder similar circumstances.

"I believe that the judge also acted a little, I don't think she was so hurt," Pilic added. "Do you think Federer would be kicked out for something like this? No chance. This decision is tendentious."