Novak Djokovic has advocated for earlier night sessions at the Australian Open after reaching the last 16 in Melbourne.
The nine-time champion is into the second week of the Australian Open after a 7-6(7) 6-3 6-4 victory over Grigor Dimitrov.
Djokovic was a break up in the opening set before being pegged back with the opening set going to a tiebreak.
The Serb narrowly won the opening set and cruised through the next two sets even if Dimitrov broke in the third set.
Despite the win, Djokovic once again struggled with a hamstring injury, needing intense treatment on the injury.
After the match Djokovic admitted that the injury requires a lot of mental and physical energy, “Well, it kind of always starts well in last few matches, including this one, and then some movement happens and then it gets worse,” Djokovic explained in his press conference.
“Yeah, pills kick in, some hot cream and stuff. That works for a little bit, then it doesn’t, then works again. It’s really a roller coaster, honestly. It requires a lot of energy that is being spent from my side mentally and physically, as well, to deal with the match with my opponent and also with not ideal physical state.
“But it is what it is. It’s kind of a circumstances that you have to accept. I’m just very grateful that I’m actually able to play. The way it looked just before the tournament started, I thought that it wouldn’t be possible. I’m still here and still holding on.”
Djokovic will hope that the injury gets better as the second week develops as he searches for a tenth Australian Open and record-equalling 23rd Grand Slam title.
The Serb’s only responsibility isn’t just on the court, it’s off the court as well as he is co-found of the PTPA.
One of the arising issues this week has been the scheduling of the Australian Open night sessions after Andy Murray’s five set battle with Thanasi Kokkinakis lasted until 4am on Thursday.
Speaking in his press conference Djokovic agreed with Murray’s suggestion that there needs to be longer night sessions, “I think that players’ input is always important for tournament organization,” Djokovic advocated.
“Whether it’s decisive, we know that it’s not because it comes down to what the TV broadcasters want to have. That’s the ultimate decision maker.
“I would agree with his points. I think we have days when the day sessions go longer, but probably more days statistically in average where they finish, say, 5, 6 max, and you can start night session an hour earlier at least. I
agree with him.
“I think for us players… For the crowd, it’s entertaining, it’s exciting, to have matches midnight, 1, 2, 3 a.m. For us, it’s really grueling. Even if you go through and win, prevail in these kind of matches, you still have to come
back.
“You have your sleeping cycle, rhythm disrupted completely, not enough time really to recover for another five-setter. Yeah, something needs to be addressed I guess in terms of the schedule after what we’ve seen this year.”
Djokovic will be hoping the PTPA can play a pivotal part in the decision-making for better welfare for the players in the future at the Australian Open.
As for the present Djokovic will now meet Alex De Minaur for a spot in the quarter-finals on Monday.
Their fourth round contest will be the first time they have met in their careers.
