In a twist that even the most creative scriptwriters couldn't dream up, tennis superstar Novak Djokovic has pointed the finger—or rather, the handle—at his racket for his shocking defeat in the latest grand slam. According to Djokovic, the racket decided to pull a vanishing act right when he needed it most, leaving him swinging at thin air like a confused mime artist.

The incident reportedly occurred during a crucial serve in the third set. Witnesses say Djokovic wound up for what should have been a blistering ace, only for his racket to allegedly 'ghost' him, disappearing from his grip and reappearing courtside as if it had better places to be. 'It was like dating in the digital age,' Djokovic lamented in the post-match press conference. 'One minute it's there, the next—poof! Unmatched.'

Fans and fellow players were left scratching their heads, with some speculating if this was a new form of equipment sabotage or just Djokovic's way of dodging responsibility. His opponent, who we'll call 'The Guy Who Actually Won,' chuckled that perhaps the racket was protesting Djokovic's infamous anti-vax stance by staging its own lockdown.

Experts from the International Tennis Federation are now investigating the 'haunted' racket, which Djokovic claims was possessed by the spirit of a disgruntled ball boy from the 90s. 'It started making weird noises, like it was trying to communicate,' he explained. 'Then it just bailed. I felt betrayed, like finding out your gluten-free bread isn't actually gluten-free.'

Meanwhile, racket manufacturers are scrambling to issue recalls, fearing a epidemic of ghosting gear. 'We've never seen anything like this,' said a spokesperson. 'Usually, our rackets break strings, not hearts.' Djokovic, undeterred, has vowed to switch to a more 'committed' model for his next tournament, perhaps one with a tracking app to prevent future disappearances.

In the world of sports satire, this event ranks up there with soccer balls that deflate themselves in protest. Djokovic's fans are divided: some hail him as a victim of supernatural forces, while others suggest he might need to work on his grip—both literal and metaphorical.

As the tennis world buzzes with memes and conspiracy theories, one thing is clear: if rackets can ghost players, what's next? Sneakers that tie themselves in knots? Balls that bounce the other way? The future of tennis just got a whole lot spookier.