Despite his inaugural victory at the US Open, Novak Djokovic was not happy in his press conference. Victorious without trembling against the Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot (6-2, 6-2, 6-4 in 2h07) on the night of Monday to Tuesday for his first match at Flushing Meadows, the recent Olympic gold medalist complained about his programming during his appearance in front of the media.
Scheduled for the second match of the evening after 7 p.m., the Serb had to wait during the extended match between Clara Burel and Sloane Stephens before entering the court at 10 p.m. and finishing his match shortly after midnight.
“I don’t think getting older really helps with staying up so late and playing so late,” said the record Grand Slam champion. “I can feel my batteries are low now. To be honest, it’s been a long wait. I thought I was going to get out on court at about 8:15 p.m. because Stephens was serving at 6-0, 3-0. And then all of a sudden it’s a two-and-a-half-hour match. You just have to accept it.”
“As long as you win, then everything is fine”
Fond of the “night session” matches so special in the electric atmosphere of the New York Grand Slam, of which he is the defending champion, the “Djoker” nevertheless recalled that he preferred to be scheduled “first”. “I hope to have more chances to play in the evening and that I will be scheduled first so that we can start at a more decent time and finish at a more decent time.”
The world number two’s statement comes in the context of a long-running debate in the microcosm of the little yellow ball around evening matches. After finishing a match at 2:45 in the morning during the Paris-Bercy tournament last year, Jannik Sinner had withdrawn from the rest of the French Masters 1000, forcing the world tennis authorities to put in place rules in January, which do not, however, concern the Grand Slams.
“I guess for the fans there is something special, especially after midnight. For us, I don’t know. It’s not really what you want, but as long as you win, then everything is fine,” concluded Djokovic, who will challenge Laslo Djere in the next round.