Another reckless swipe of the racquet could have led to a horrible sense of deja vu for Novak Djokovic.
Back in 2020, Djokovic was disqualified from the US Open after accidentally hitting a line judge in the neck with a ball.
During his straight-set Australian Open win over Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp on Saturday - his 400th Grand Slam victory - Djokovic smacked another ball away from the court and risked a further ignominious default.
The 38-year-old was fortunate the pacy forehand narrowly missed a ball girl who ducked out of the way as she crouched at the net post.