Amidst all the drama and the thrilling matches we have been treated to at the French Open already, as we enter the second week of the event, it might be easy to forget the negatives that have come from the competition thus far too.
After all, David Goffin complained of being spat at by one crowd, whilst an alcohol ban for those in the stands left tennis fearing for its wider reputation.
However, perhaps the most notorious issue is actually one that has persisted for years now, across every Grand Slam tournament.
Fortunately, with a little bit of backlash from players and pundits alike, a positive change could well be made in the near future.
Boris Becker reacts to Roland Garros finish times
Especially with big names like Boris Becker getting involved in the action, seeking to shed light on the horrors of being forced to play into the early hours of the morning after being drafted for the night match slot.
Novak Djokovic was their latest victim, as the world number one’s match with Lorenzo Musetti lasted an eye-watering four hours and 28 minutes.
Being dragged out to five sets, the match finished around 3 am and sparked mass outrage.
Mark Petchey, a tennis commentator, first wrote: If @DjokerNole wins @rolandgarros it will be his greatest achievement ever in a single event. Madness to finish at 3 am from a recovery point of view.
‘When a tournament is struggling this much to catch up through no fault of its own, they should just call a Monday Final early so this doesn’t happen.’
Becker would echo his sentiment: ‘Mark, you make very good point !
‘Think it’s mad and frankly unprofessional from the organisers to allow matches past 1am …which other sport has to deal with something similar? Maybe boxing but they have 1 fight every 6 month !’
All Grand Slams need to act now
Whilst Djokovic and Musetti’s blockbuster clash became Roland Garros’ latest-ever finish for a match, they are not alone in their failings on this particular matter.
And, to showcase the irony of the sport, matches from Iga Swiątek, Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff the following day flew by, with neither of those aforementioned dropping a set.
However, all three of the other majors have been guilty of such a late finish, with the Australian Open’s 4:34 am finish, as Lleyton Hewitt defeated Marcos Baghdatis in 2008, the worst of the bunch.
The US Open has also had its fair share of embarrassing slogs for their players, and whilst Wimbledon has a strict curfew enforced, it does often make the scheduling a nightmare.
Regardless, for both the fans’ enjoyment and the players’ well-being, a huge change needs to be made.
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