So true! Especially so for Djokovic who had a big advantage in the absence of Nadal and Federer!
As rightfully said by @Rohan, a rule is a rule.
I am a big time fan of Djokovic, the fighter, the master of mind over the physicality of the game. However, I do think it was the right call taken by the US Open team. The players should anticipate the consequences of their displayed frustration and bear in mind the repercussions of their negligent behavior.
If institutions make exceptions to the rules then players may lose faith in impartial rulings.
I think Djokovic has taken this incident in the right spirit by issuing the following statement:
“This whole situation has left me really sad and empty,” he wrote. “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. As for the disqualification, I need to go back within and work on my disappointment and turn this all into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and human being.”