That was a tough one!
Apparently, Novak Djokovic asked to play during the day session because that would have been less taxing on his struggling elbow and, apparently, also because his upcoming opponent, Gael Monfils, has problems in dealing with an extreme hit. That was the rumor, but eventually it wasn’t true.
The match was played in very tough conditions with the Frenchman struggling a lot during the contest to even state that he feared a heart attack.
After winning the first set (6-4), Monfils looked already in dire straights, and he imploded completely soon after to lose the next 3 sets and the match (4-6 6-3 6-1 6-3).
Sometimes I do not like it. DJOKOVIC
After the match, Noel commented
“It’s more business than a sport. At times I don’t like that. Of course we’re all blessed to have great financial compensation, great lives. I’m very grateful for that. At the same time, what is most important for us is our health and what happens after our careers, after you’re 30, 35. There are many players who can’t physically walk, run, jog, whatever. They’re struggling some way or another, health-wise or physiologically.
You have to understand what the player goes through. There is no indication that we’re going to have any discussion for a shorter season or anything like it. We’re just adding events, official events, unofficial events. It feels, from a player’s perspective, that you’re always in a rush. You’re always obliged to play the mandatory events. You always have a big challenge to defend points because it affects everything. You’re always constantly, week after week, being part of that dynamic of our sport. At times it seems a bit too much.
But it’s our choice at the same time. So, I don’t want to sound ungrateful. On the contrary, I’m very grateful. But I also think that there should be some kind of rational conversation about rules that are maybe imposed or certain things that are concerning players’ well-being.”
Next vs. Ramos Vinolas
Nole will face Albert Ramos Vinolas in the 3rd round. The head to head is 4-0 for the Serbian (10-0 in terms of sets).
