French Open 2025: Jim Courier explains why Lorenzo Musetti wasn't disqualified - unlike Novak Djokovic at 2020 US Open
Published 03/06/2025 at 19:46 GMT+1
There was a flashpoint during the French Open 2025 quarter-final between Lorenzo Musetti and Frances Tiafoe when Musetti kicked a ball that struck a line judge. The Italian received a code violation rather than being disqualified, and TNT Sports expert Jim Courier broke down the difference between Tuesday's incident and the Novak Djokovic disqualification from the 2020 US Open.
Watch as Musetti given warning by umpire after kicking ball at line-judge
Video credit: TNT Sports
There has already been plenty of debate over whether Lorenzo Musetti should have been disqualified for kicking a ball that struck a line judge, and now Jim Courier has weighed in.
The Italian kicked a stray ball which accidentally hit the line judge in the chest during the second set of his French Open quarter-final with Frances Tiafoe.
Rather than being disqualified, the world No. 8 received a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct from chair umpire Timo Janzen.
The incident has drawn comparisons to Novak Djokovic’s disqualification from the US Open 2020, when he accidentally hit a line judge with a ball.
Speaking in the TNT Sports studio, Courier responded to Mats Wilander’s argument that the power of the strike shouldn't matter.
"I think actually, softness does matter. I think that's the key element," Courier said. "Intent does not matter, right? If you didn't mean to do it, that is irrelevant.
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'By the letter of the law...' - Henman says Musetti could have been disqualified
Video credit: TNT Sports
"What is relevant is, did you harm either a ball person or a linesperson or a spectator? If anyone is injured, that's when they're going to default you, and fortunately he didn't really even centre the kick.
"It was one of the worst kicks I've ever seen an Italian make actually, thankfully, but you know it hit her, she kind of flinched a little bit, but then she was fine."
Djokovic’s disqualification at Flushing Meadows came while he was chasing his 18th Grand Slam.
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In his fourth-round match against Pablo Carreno Busta, Djokovic took a ball out of his pocket and hit it behind him, striking the female line judge in her throat.
After a lengthy discussion, the Serbian was defaulted by tournament officials.
Courier ultimately believes the authorities "chose the right path" on Tuesday at Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Courier continued: "When he hit that ball again, unintentionally, and it hit the lineswoman in the neck, she crumbled to the ground and she needed medical treatment.
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'It's comical' - Tiafoe has his say on controversial moment Musetti kicked ball at line-judge
Video credit: TNT Sports
"And with that, I think that the authorities’ hands were forced, and that was not the case today.
"That would have been a very difficult scenario for the tournament to have to explain.
"Was it within the rules? Technically, I think if you hit someone, yeah, you could default them, but I think there needs to be some judgement, and I think they chose the right path."
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