Connect with us

CELEBRITY

French Open 2024: Novak Djokovic finishing at 3am in Paris is ‘unhealthy’, says Coco Gauf

Published

on

‘Tennis finishing at 3am is unhealthy’

Tennis matches finishing at 3am are “unhealthy” for players and should be stopped, says Coco Gauff.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic wrapped up a five-set victory against Lorenzo Musetti at 3:07am on Sunday at the French Open – by far the latest ever finish at the clay-court Grand Slam.

It reopened the discussion around why matches are allowed to continue into the early hours and the impact on player welfare.

“I feel like a lot of times people think you’re done, but really at 3am [you’re] probably not going to bed until 5am at the earliest, maybe 6am or 7am,” said US Open women’s champion Gauff.

“I definitely think it’s not healthy.

“For the health and safety of the players it would be in the sport’s best interest to try to avoid those matches finishing or starting after a certain time.”

In January, the ATP and WTA Tours jointly brought in a new rule which means no matches can start after 11pm.

However, the ruling has not been applied to the four majors, which make their own policies. Tour matches are also played over three sets, while men play best-of-five at the Grand Slams.

Iga Swiatek, the defending women’s champion, also called on the authorities to act.

“It’s not easy to play and it’s not like we’re going to fall asleep one hour after the match,” said the Polish world number one.

“[Change] is not up to us. We need to accept anything that is going to come to us.”

How did the late-night situation unfold?
The decision by the French Open to put Grigor Dimitrov’s unfinished match against Zizou Bergs on Court Philippe Chatrier before Djokovic and Musetti in the night session backfired.

That match, which was rained off on Friday, was moved to Chatrier when it looked like Alexander Zverev was going to wrap up a four-set victory against Tallon Griekspoor in the final match of the day session.

However, that went to five sets before Dimitrov, who restarted the match with a one-set advantage, needed four sets to beat Bergs.

It meant Djokovic and Italy’s Musetti, who should have started at 8:15pm local time, did not step on court until 10:37pm.

After sealing victory four-and-a-half hours later, Djokovic said he did not “want to get into” discussing the scheduling decision.

“I think some things could have been handled a different way but there’s also a beauty in winning a match [so late],” the 37-year-old Serb added.

“Physically, I really went to my limits to win this match.”

The French Open has been asked by BBC Sport for comment about the decision.

British doubles player Jamie Murray highlighted the knock-on effect of a late finish on a player’s recovery.

“You’re totally goosed the next day and then the day after that is a battle as well,” said Murray, whose brother Andy finished an Australian Open match last year at 4am.

“It won’t be easy for Novak to recover. It’s not like he’s 25 anymore.”

Djokovic, who plays Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo in the fourth round on Monday, was not down on the practice schedule for Sunday

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CELEBRITY14 hours ago

Simone Biles named world’s most marketable athlete for the……see more

CELEBRITY17 hours ago

VIDEO: Newly Released Footage Caught Travis Kelce Delivering DIRTY Blindside Hit To Roquan Smith During Chiefs-Ravens Opening Kickoff Game.

CELEBRITY2 weeks ago

Pregnant Brittany Mahomes Rocks Custom Denim Jacket — and Smooches Husband Patrick — at Chiefs-49ers Game

CELEBRITY4 weeks ago

Kate Middleton quits playing Prince Harry peacemaker, ‘finally threw up her hands in disgust’: expert

CELEBRITY4 weeks ago

Will Smith to reunite with wife after long separation… full story below 👇👇👇

CELEBRITY4 weeks ago

Kanye West, Bianca Censori headed for divorce after nearly 2 years of marriage

CELEBRITY4 weeks ago

Fans shocked by ‘nasty’ insult to Taylor Swift, Steve Harvey indirectly INSULTING Taylor Swift and said she was not a ‘good singer’.

CELEBRITY1 month ago

The Tragedy of King Charles: King Charles delivers heartbreaking news following his reunion with Prince Harry, saying, “My son is no longer with us…” See more below 👇👇👇

CELEBRITY1 month ago

WATCH: Tаylor Swіft Cheerѕ Trаvіѕ Kelce аt Chіefѕ Gаme After Hіѕ 35th Bіrthdаy Wіth Clаѕѕіc Fаll Plаіd Set Wіth Sky-Hіgh Bootѕ… full story below👇👇👇

CELEBRITY1 month ago

Beatrice and Eugenie ‘want to believe’ Prince Andrew as they beg King Charles to forgive brotherPrincesses Beatrice and Eugenie are desperately trying to convince King Charles to ‘forgive’ their father Prince Andrew. The pair are said to have accepted the Duke of York’s version of events in relation to his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and accusations of sexual assault.And they want Charles to put any animosity to one side for the sake of The Firm, according to reports. It comes with the monarch and his brother feuding over the future of Royal Lodge, the home Andrew shares with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.Charles is keen for the disgraced Duke to move somewhere smaller. But Beatrice, 26, and Eugenie, 43, hope that argument can be put to one side.A pal told In Touch: “The two princesses have spoken to their uncle, asking him to forgive Andrew and for the two brothers to mend fences. But it remains to be seen if their requests have been heardBeatrice and Eugenie love their father and of course want to believe him. They don’t want him to have to leave his home, a place where they all shared so many happy times.

CELEBRITY1 month ago

King Charles to ‘pause’ cancer treatment for Australian tour

CELEBRITY1 month ago

Taylor Swift overtakes Rihanna to become world’s richest female musician

Copyright © 2024 UKfoxnews