The lineswoman who was struck by a ball from Novak Djokovic during the US Open has been subjected to online abuse after her name and Instagram account were leaked to fans.
Her details were made public by a Serbian newspaper which led to abuse directed at the tennis official.
And now Djokovic has spoken out to condemn the abuse of the official on his Instagram account, telling his fans she 'needs our community's support too'.
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"Dear #NoleFam, thank you for your positive messages," the tennis ace wrote.
"Please also remember the linesperson that was hit by the ball last night needs our community's support too.
"She's done nothing wrong at all. I ask you to stay especially supportive and caring to her during this time.
"From these moments, we grow stronger and we rise above. Sharing love with everyone."
Djokovic was defaulted from the US Open on Sunday after striking the official with a ball during his fourth round clash with Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta.
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It was during the opening set that the incident occurred. Djokovic was trailing Carreno Busta and had just lost a service game, when he hit the ball in frustration and unintentionally hit the linesperson in the neck.
She then stumbled over, and fell to the ground, clutching her throat.
Djokovic immediately held up his hands in apology, and walked over to the line judge to make sure she was OK.
However, as he had broken the rules by hitting a ball 'dangerously or recklessly within the court, or with negligent disregard of the consequences', he was disqualified.
Despite the line official doing nothing wrong, some Djokovic's fans seem to have laid blame at her door and numerous abusive comments were left on her posts.
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Australian doubles champion Rennae Stubbs defended the decision to default Djokovic and spoke out against the abuse of the line judge on Twitter.
"LET ME SAY THIS LOUDLY! Anyone who blames the lines lady for the default of Novak..... STOP!" Stubbs wrote.
After Djokovic was defaulted from the tournament, he released a statement on his Instagram.
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The star said: "This whole situation has left me really sad and empty. 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. I apologize to the @usopen tournament and everyone associated for my behaviour. I'm very grateful to my team and family for being my rock support, and my fans for always being there with me. Thank you and I'm so sorry."
Djokovic was fined $US10,000 ($A13,740) for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The fine is in addition to the $250,000 ($A343,000) in prize money the US Tennis Association said Djokovic would forfeit after being disqualified.
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The world number one has also been docked $7,500 ($A10,300) for skipping the mandatory post-match media conference, bringing his total penalty to $267,500 ($A367,400).
Featured Image Credit: PA Images