The Baseline Awards: Most shocking moment

The 2020 season has been no other in tennis. This year’s Baseline Awards look at the standout performers and moments during an unusual season. (Photos: Getty Images)

Back in 2011, Novak Djokovic started his campaign on a 41-match winning streak, one that lasted all the way to the French Open semifinals in June.

Remarkably, it appeared as if he was going to best that mark nearly a decade later. Djokovic started off 2020 by going undefeated at the new ATP Cup, then carried that momentum with him to the Australian Open. He rallied from the brink of defeat in the finals to top Dominic Thiem and win the 17th Grand Slam singles title of his career.

At his next tournament in Dubai, the Serb won his first three matches convincingly, then passed a tough test against Gael Monfils in the semifinals. Djokovic then claimed the top prize by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas to run his record on the year to 18-0.

The world No. 1 would have to wait several months before he could add to that mark.

When professional play resumed, Djokovic entered the New York bubble for the Western & Southern Open to be followed by the US Open. Famously unable to win the W&S Open before taking the title in 2018, Djokovic this year became the first man to win all the Masters 1000 events two or more times when he topped Milos Raonic in the final.

It was the perfect preparation for the US Open, where he was the clear favorite—especially with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer out of the draw. Djokovic only dropped one set in his first three matches to set up a round-of-16 encounter against Pablo Carreno Busta, a former semifinalist at the tournament.

Seeming out of sorts from the start, Djokovic labored through the first set. Down 5-6, he took out his frustrations on a tennis ball that found an unlikely target., the lineswoman stationed at the back of the court.

After some deliberation, the top seed and tournament favorite was defaulted.

Djokovic’s bid for history came to an unlikely end, one brought on by a regrettable accident.