Novak Djokovic expressed his belief that the handling of his late-night match at the French Open could have been improved. After winning his third-round match in the early hours of Sunday morning, Djokovic noted that things could have been handled differently by Roland Garros officials. The match, which started just before 10:45 p.m. on Saturday, saw Djokovic coming back from two sets to one down to defeat Lorenzo Musetti in a four-hour, 29-minute battle. This victory allowed Djokovic to equal Roger Federer’s record of 369 Grand Slam match wins.
Djokovic’s comments highlight the challenges faced by players when matches extend into the late hours. While there is a certain beauty in winning a match at three in the morning, Djokovic emphasized the physical toll it takes. Playing rallies of more than 20 shots in the early hours can be grueling, especially given the heavy conditions and cold weather. Djokovic questioned who plays tennis at two in the morning and highlighted the lack of free points behind the serve under such circumstances.
Despite the late finish, Djokovic must now recover quickly to face Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo in the round of 16 on Monday. Had he lost, it would have been Djokovic’s earliest exit at the French Open in 15 years. Women’s world number one Iga Swiatek also weighed in on the issue, suggesting that night sessions should start earlier for the benefit of both the public and the players. Swiatek’s dominant performance in her quarter-final match further underscores the contrast between marathon efforts and swift victories on the same court.
Djokovic’s marathon match and subsequent criticism shed light on the logistical challenges faced by players during late-night matches at major tournaments. While the drama of late-night tennis can be captivating, it also poses physical and scheduling difficulties for both players and fans alike.
