PARIS — Novak Djokovic has revealed his behind-the-scenes discussions with French Open officials to avoid what he described as a "dangerous" scheduling situation following his grueling late-night victory over Lorenzo Musetti in the fourth round of Roland Garros.
The world No. 1 secured his spot in the quarter-finals after an epic battle that concluded at 3:07 AM local time — the latest finish in French Open history. Djokovic, who overcame Musetti 7-5, 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 in a match lasting four hours and 29 minutes, expressed concerns about player safety and recovery time in post-match interviews.
Djokovic's Late-Night Ordeal
The 24-time Grand Slam champion didn't mince words about the challenges posed by the scheduling: "When you finish a match at 3 AM, you don't have time to properly recover for your next match. This is dangerous for players' health and affects the quality of tennis."
Key issues Djokovic highlighted included:
- Insufficient recovery time between matches
- Increased injury risk due to fatigue
- Disrupted sleep patterns affecting performance
- Limited access to physiotherapy and recovery facilities in early morning hours
Negotiations with Tournament Organizers
Djokovic disclosed he had "productive but tense" conversations with tournament director Amélie Mauresmo and other officials about adjusting his quarter-final schedule. The Serb was originally slated to play Casper Ruud on Wednesday afternoon, just over 36 hours after his marathon match concluded.
"I made it clear this wasn't just about me — it's about setting a precedent for player welfare," Djokovic stated. "The tour needs to protect athletes from these extreme situations."
The Compromise
After negotiations, organizers agreed to move Djokovic's quarter-final to Wednesday evening, giving him additional recovery time. Tournament referee Remy Azemar confirmed the decision, stating: "We always prioritize player safety while maintaining the integrity of the competition schedule."
Historical Context of Late Finishes
The incident has reignited debate about tournament scheduling in tennis. Recent examples include:
- Carlos Alcaraz's 2:50 AM finish at the 2023 US Open
- Andy Murray's 4:05 AM conclusion at the 2022 Australian Open
- Lleyton Hewitt's famous 4:34 AM match at the 2008 Australian Open
Djokovic emphasized: "We're the only professional sport that regularly has athletes competing past midnight. This isn't sustainable or healthy."
Player Reactions
The tennis community has largely supported Djokovic's stance. Rafael Nadal tweeted: "Player health must come first. Well done @DjokerNole for speaking up." Current ATP Player Council president Grigor Dimitrov also voiced support for scheduling reforms.
However, not all reactions were positive. Some fans and commentators argued that late finishes create dramatic moments and that players should accept the schedule as part of tournament tradition.
Potential Solutions
Djokovic proposed several changes that could prevent similar situations:
- Implementing a hard curfew (e.g., no matches starting after 10 PM)
- Reducing best-of-five sets in early rounds
- Scheduling only one night session match instead of two
- Creating minimum rest periods between matches
French Open officials have acknowledged the concerns. Tournament director Mauresmo said: "We're reviewing our policies and will discuss potential changes with all stakeholders, including players and broadcasters."
Looking Ahead
As Djokovic prepares for his quarter-final against Ruud, the scheduling controversy has overshadowed what could be his record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. The Serb remains focused: "My job is to compete, but I also have a responsibility to advocate for better conditions in our sport."
The incident has sparked broader conversations about player welfare in tennis. ATP and WTA representatives have confirmed they will address scheduling concerns at their next joint meeting in June.
Djokovic concluded: "This isn't about me getting special treatment. It's about creating fair conditions for all players, now and in the future. Tennis must evolve with athlete health as the priority."