Sport | Tennis
Djokovic wants delayed start for first semi-final
Playing conditions said to be better after 4pm
- By Alaric Gomes, Senior Reporter
- Published: 00:00 February 27, 2011
- Image Credit: Megan Hirons Mahon/Gulf News
- Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns to Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in semi-final action on centre court at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships at the Aviation Club in Garhoud.
Dubai: Two-time champion Novak Djokovic has suggested that the first men's singles semi-final ought to be played a couple of hours later than its usual time of 2pm.
"I didn't feel the heat that much. I felt the heat with speed of the ball actually; the speed of the ball was unbelievable. The balls became potatoes. You could not hit two balls in front of the baseline. It was terrible," Djokovic told media after his semi-final opponent Tomas Berdych pulled out in their third set with an injury on Friday.
"Just as soon as the sun came down a little bit around 4pm, the tennis was better. There was more rallies, more variety. So I think for the next year they should move the first semi-final at least for two hours later," Djokovic said.
The heat factor has not been too harsh on the world number three, not after he went all the way to win his second Grand Slam at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Heat effect
"To be honest, I already feel the big improvement playing in the heat. I felt it in Australia that I was feeling good, not feeling the heat effect too much as I had in the past," Djokovic said.
"Here, today was a very hot day. I felt great on the court and I could have gone the distance. Physically I felt well; game wise I felt like a baby," he said.
Multimedia
Sport Editor's choice
-
Time for innovation, not controversies
Only transparency and fine-tuning can take the event a step further
-
Celebrating a tradition of the seas
The race over 51 nautical miles brings generations of families together, soaking in the spirit and atmosphere of a bygone era. An era that could have been lost forever.
-
Kings of Asian Futsal are the team to beat
Strong iran squad target afc title in 16-team competition which begins in dubai today
