Novak Djokovic expresses frustration with his late-night U.S. Open match, which stretched past midnight, as he defeats Radu Albot in the first round. The 37-year-old champions earlier start times.
Bollywood Fever: Midnight matches may hold a certain allure for tennis fans, but for veteran player Novak Djokovic, they are more of a burden than a delight.
The 37-year-old tennis star, who began his U.S. Open title defense on Monday, voiced his frustration after a late-night match that stretched past midnight at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Djokovic, showing signs of rust, managed to defeat qualifier Radu Albot 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 to secure his spot in the second round.
However, the two-hour and seven-minute match, which was delayed due to a preceding marathon match between Clara Burel and Sloane Stephens, didn’t start until late in the evening, much to Djokovic’s dismay.
“Well, I don’t think that aging helps really staying so late and playing very late,” Djokovic candidly told reporters. “I can feel, you know, my batteries are low now. I’m shutting down.”
Djokovic, who had anticipated stepping onto the court earlier, was taken aback by the extended wait. “I thought I was going to go out on the court at like 8:15 p.m. because Stephens was 6-0, 3-0 serving, and then all of a sudden it turns out to be a two-and-a-half-hour match or whatever,” he explained. “You just have to accept it, I guess.”
While Djokovic acknowledged the unique appeal of late-night matches for fans, he made it clear that, from a player’s perspective, such late starts are far from ideal. “I like playing night matches, but I love to start first,” he said. “Hopefully, I get more chances to play at night and am scheduled first so we can start at a more decent time and finish at a more decent time.”
Despite the challenges, Djokovic remains focused on his goal of winning the U.S. Open. Monday’s match marked his return to the court after securing a long-coveted Olympic gold medal in singles at Paris.
However, his lack of recent match play on hard courts was evident, as he struggled with 10 double-faults and almost twice as many unforced errors as winners.
“It’s always challenging to start, particularly when you haven’t played on this surface for five, six months and coming off an Olympic gold and playing on clay,” Djokovic noted. “I’m expecting to be probably challenged a little bit more in the opening rounds.”
Looking ahead, Djokovic is optimistic about the tournament’s format, which allows for a day off between matches. “The good thing about Slams is you have a day between matches where you can train, where you can really work on things and perfect your game. That’s what I need,” he said.
As Djokovic continues his pursuit of another U.S. Open title, he remains hopeful for earlier start times that align better with his current physical needs.
Also Read Latest Sports News, Rams Exploring Trade Options for Ernest Jones, Despite Linebacker Not Requesting a Move
Yoshihito Nishioka Forced to Retire from U.S. Open After Scary Injury During Fifth Set
Caitlin Clark Emerging as Clear Favorite for WNBA Rookie of the Year