‘My Reputation is Badly Damaged’: German Referee Who Defaulted Novak Djokovic At US Open Reacts to Yearlong ITF Suspension

It is no secret that World No. 1 Novak Djokovic did not have the best start to 2022. Not only did he have to miss the Australian Open, but he also lost the chance to become the first man to win 21 Grand Slam titles.

Back in 2021, Novak Djokovic came within a hair’s breadth of completing a calendar Grand Slam. After winning the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon, the Serbian missed out on the US Open 2021 victory against Daniil Medvedev.

Consequently, Novak couldn’t win his 21st Grand Slam. However, many think that the Serbinator could have achieved that feat quite a while ago, in 2020. Sadly, Djokovic faced a suspension from the US Open 2020, after ITF umpire Soren Friemel defaulted him.

In a shocking turn of events, the ITF has banned Friemel himself over allegations regarding abuse of power. Friemel has now reacted to the suspension.

ITF Umpire who defaulted Novak Djokovic reacts to suspension

German referee Soren Friemel was the highest-ranking referee in the International Tennis Federation. However, a younger male umpire made allegations against Soren regarding his apparent abuse of power.

Many know Friemel for being the umpire who defaulted Novak Djokovic at the 2020 US Open. Consequently, he cost the World No. 1 a title shot two years ago, when the Serb had been a clear favorite to lift the trophy.

Owing to ‘unethical behavior and abuse of power’, the ITF had banned Friemel, its Head of Officiating, for an entire year. His suspension will end on June 18, 2022. Speaking to Westphalian News, Friemel confirmed that his colleague made the allegations a week after the 2021 French Open.

Soren had reportedly made inappropriate comments and invitations to someone, according to an ITF spokesperson. The apparent disparity in power and authority led to a clear breach of code, because of which the ITF suspended Soren.

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Now, as his suspension nears its end, Friemel stated that “drinking a nightcap together during a tournament was and is quite normal.” Moreover, he also cleared that the “meeting never even happened”.

He also expressed disbelief about “suddenly be charged with vague allegations” which are almost a decade-old. Having officiated for 30 years, Soren is now “rethinking (his) work-life balance”. “My reputation is badly damaged,” the German expressed.

Potential 21st Grand Slam for Djokovic at Roland Garros?

After not being able to play at the Australian Open, there is still doubt that Novak Djokovic will defend his French Open title. Initially, it had seemed like the Serbian would have to skip the second Grand Slam of the year as well.

This was because France had passed new laws that banned unvaccinated individuals from occupying public spaces at all. However, recently, it has come to light that there does exist an exemption to said laws.

Any individual who caught the virus in a window of 6 months would be exempt from having to show a double-vaccination certificate in France. Accordingly, Novak Djokovic, whose COVID-positive reports were just corroborated by Serbian legal prosecutors, would be able to play at the French Open.

However, even the six-month window would expire in May, which means that Novak Djokovic would certainly have to get the vaccine if he wishes to play.

If he were to get vaccinated and compete in France, many expect Novak to lift his 21st Grand Slam, and thus tie Rafael Nadal in the all-time major title tally. Do you think Novak Djokovic will win it all at Roland Garros?

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