Former world No.1 Novak Djokovic has criticised the way officials manage the court conditions following his fourth round win at the French Open.
The 2016 champion moved into the quarter-finals at Roland Garros with a straight set victory over Fernando Verdasco. Making it his best run in a grand slam since returning to the tour from a serious elbow injury. It was during that match where both Djokovic and his Spanish revival raised concerns about the state of the courts. Saying that parts of it was slippery.
“It doesn’t matter what the players say? It doesn’t matter at all? … Just keep going until someone breaks his ankle?” The 12-time grand slam champion said during one stage of the match.
It isn’t the first time a player has complained about the courts at this year’s French Open. Earlier in the week, top seed Rafael Nadal was another figure to hit out. Saying that the surface is different to previous years. Both Nadal and Djokovic made their comments whilst playing on the Philippe Chatrier court. The principle court that will host both men’s and women’s finals.
“You can see that there are many more greyer zones or whiter zones than other years, because there are little pebbles underneath, and that’s why you don’t have the proper grip on the court.” Nadal explained.
Besides the state of the conditions, which can vary depending on the weather, Djokovic has also spoken out about another issue. Following his win, he openly criticised officials for not allowing players to have a say about how to treat the courts. Saying that they ‘don’t care’ about what him or his fellow rivals think on the tour.
“What I don’t like is that there is no participation of the players. So they don’t ask players. We are the ones who are playing and sliding and not sliding, so we can give them the most important feedback.” Djokovic said during his press conference on Sunday.
“But it doesn’t seem like they care too much about our opinion, and that’s something I don’t like. If we reach the consensus that we should water or not, that’s okay. With me, that’s fine. If the majority decides that it shouldn’t be watered, I’ll be okay with the decision.
“But I think we deserve to be part of it.”
Djokovic, who won his 200th clay court match on Sunday, will take on Italian underdog and David Goffin conqueror Marco Cecchinato in the next round. It will be his first meeting against the world No.72 on the tour.
“I know his game and I’ve practiced with him, I’ve watched him play. For sure, he’s playing the tennis of his life. He won his first title recently.” He commented about his next opponent.
The 31-year-old Serbian has now reached 12 French Open quarter-finals in what is an Open Era record. Nadal will match the milestone if he wins his fourth round match on Monday.
