Djokovic: 'Things could be handled differently' after 3 am finish

Djokovic says ‘things could be handled differently’ after 3 am finish

/ 07:24 PM June 02, 2024

Novak Djokovic French Open

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning against Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti at the end of their men’s singles match on Court Philippe-Chatrier on day seven of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Complex in Paris on June 2, 2024. (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP)

Novak Djokovic believes “things could have been handled differently” by Roland Garros officials after winning his French Open third-round match at a record 3:07 a.m. (0107 GMT) Sunday morning.

Defending champion and 24-time Grand Slam title winner Djokovic came from two sets to one down to defeat Lorenzo Musetti 7-5, 6-7 (6/8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 in a clash which only started just before 10:45 p.m. (2045 GMT) on Saturday.

Article continues after this advertisement

It was easily the latest finish to a French Open tie and came after organisers squeezed in extra matches onto the two main show courts, which both have retractable roofs, to counter the scheduling chaos caused by a seventh day of rain in Paris.

FEATURED STORIES

READ: Very good morning as Djokovic battles back in French Open epic

“I don’t want to get into this debate,” said Djokovic initially before adding: “I think certain things could have been handled differently.

“There is a certain beauty in winning the match at three in the morning if it was the last of the tournament, but this isn’t the case.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Djokovic’s four-hour 29-minute victory allowed the 37-year-old world number one to equal Roger Federer’s record of 369 Grand Slam match wins.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Physically, I really went to my limits to win this match. When you play rallies of more than 20 shots, at two in the morning…. Who plays at two in the morning?” he added.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Djokovic untroubled at French Open as fans hit by alcohol ban

“We play few matches in our life at this time. The conditions were very heavy, it was very cold. You didn’t have many free points behind your serve.”

Djokovic must now recover to face Argentinian 27th seed Francisco Cerundolo in the round of 16 on Monday after avoiding what would have been his earliest exit at the French Open in 15 years.

Article continues after this advertisement

Despite the late finish in Paris, it is the Australian Open in Melbourne which holds the Grand Slam record — in 2008, Lleyton Hewitt and Marcos Baghdatis played a match until 4:34 a.m.

At the US Open in New York, the latest finish was 2:50 a.m. in 2022 when Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Wimbledon operates an 11 p.m. curfew with the 2012 clash between Andy Murray and Baghdatis ending at a more gentle 11:02 p.m.

TAGS: French Open, Novak Djokovic

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.