Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev were bitterly upset like many other players for the scheduling implemented at the current Olympic Games. According to the world number one, there was no reason to schedule the matches to be played in the middle of the day when there was enough leeway to stage them later in the day in fresher conditions.
Unfortunately, because of this scheduling, some players had to withdraw from their matches. Paula Badosa left the court in wheelchair on Wednesday because of the extreme heat.
Eventually, the organization came to its senses to do some rescheduling. Therefore, the message will start only after 3 p.m.The players were pretty happy with this decision.
Still alive🥵 @Tokyo2020 @Olympics pic.twitter.com/xEJqMGUNsq
— Daniil Medvedev (@DaniilMedwed) July 28, 2021
Bravo @DjokerNole 👏🏻thanks for always fighting for the players 🙏🏻 https://t.co/0t6MTOTnTS
— Donna Vekic (@DonnaVekic) July 28, 2021
This was the statement from the ITF
In the interests of player health and welfare and following extensive consultation,
the ITF has announced a change of schedule due to the increasing heat and
humidity currently being experienced in Tokyo, Japan.
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Tennis Event matches will begin at 3pm from Thursday, 29 July 2021.
The decision to start matches at 3pm JST from Thursday is possible due to the outcomes of today’s matches across the five competitions being staged and the size of player field and is designed to further safeguard player health.
It has been made following consultation with the IOC, Tokyo 2020, Olympic Broadcast
Services as well as the Olympic Tennis Event players, referee, medical experts
and other key stakeholders.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Tennis Event Extreme Weather Policy, which has been
in place throughout the tournament provides for modifications of play once the
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature reaches a threshold of 30.1°C including
ten-minute breaks for both the men and women if requested.
Djokovic in Tokyo, ranking, and results in 2021
At the moment ranked no.1, Novak owns a compiled 37-3 match record in 2021. Djokovic is now competing in Tokyo where he overcame Hugo Dellien 6-2 6-2, Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 6-3 and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3 6-1.
Novak Djokovic will fight against the world no.69 Kei Nishikori in the quarter on Thursday at 5:00 pm on Centre Court. Their current record is 16-2 for Djokovic.
Djokovic has won 4 titles in 2021 at the Australian Open, in Belgrade, at the French Open and in Wimbledon. Novak got to the final in Rome (Internazionali BNL d’Italia).
Djokovic won 85 titles in his career: 48 on hard courts, 17 on clay courts, 13 on indoor courts and 7 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Medvedev in Tokyo, ranking, and results in 2021
Now ranked no.2 (career-high), Medvedev owns a 32-8 match record in 2021. The Russian is now playing in Tokyo where he toppled Alexander Bublik 6-4 7-68, Sumit Nagal 6-2 6-1 and Fabio Fognini 6-2 3-6 6-2.
Daniil Medvedev will square off with the world no.11 Pablo Carreno-Busta in the quarter on Thursday at 5:00 pm on Court 1. Their head to head is 3-1 for Medvedev.
The Russian has won 2 titles in 2021 in Marseille and in Mallorca. Medvedev reached the final at the Australian Open.
Medvedev won 11 titles in his career: 4 on hard courts, 6 on indoor courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev squared off 8 times. The head to head is 5-3 for Djokovic. The last time they fought against each other, Novak Djokovic won 7-5 6-2 6-2 in the final in Melbourne (Australian Open) on the 21st of February 2021.
You can watch the highlights in the following video.
Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev |
| Embed from Getty Images |
