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Novak Djokovic was almost disqualified for the second time in his illustrious Grand Slam career after narrowly missing a ball kid in a tantrum at the Australian Open. The legendary Serb was taking on Botic van de Zandschulp in his third-round clash.

Towards the end of the second set, he lashed a ball in fury which flew towards a ball girl who was crouched by the net. He missed her head by mere inches.

If the ball had struck the youngster, umpire John Blom would have had no alternative but to default Djokovic and throw him out of the tournament, a fate that befell him in the 2020 US Open when he struck a line judge with a ball.

Djokovic apologised and got on with the match, which he won in straight sets. He is chasing an 11th Australian Open title.

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Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash told the BBC: "The ball was nearly slapped at a million miles per hour into the side hoarding, it skimmed past the ball kid.

"I don't even think he knew the ball kid was there and that was three inches from getting defaulted. He would have been defaulted for sure.

"I don't think he even thought about it, he slapped it into the net and because the ball was out, he wasn't focused on where exactly he was hitting the ball."

Djokovic admitted after the game he was 'really lucky' to win in straight sets.

"At the beginning of the second set he did struggle with his arm and I could see his km/h went down, so I had more looks at his first serve and second serve," he said.

"Then the tables turned and I must say I relaxed a little bit too much, and was in trouble to close out the second set. From that moment, it was anybody's game.

"I was really lucky to get out of the trouble of the set point in the third set. He had an upper hand in that point and things can happen quickly, one shot can determine the winner so I'm glad to overcome it and win in straight sets."

The 38-year-old is chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam in what is likely to be his final appearance at the Australian Open.

"[I feel] really good," he added. "It's been a great start of the tournament.

"Things can change and I'm not getting ahead of myself because last year I learned a lesson, I got too excited too early in some of the Grand Slams, playing really well and getting to the quarters and semis and then getting injured in three out of four.

"I'm still trying to give these young guys a push for their money. I'm still around and hanging in there. Alcaraz and Sinner are playing at a different level from all of us right now, but when you enter the court and the ball rolls, you always have a chance."