Novak Djokovic Calls For Understanding In Speeding Up Play

Written by: Staff on 18th April 2013

Novak Djokovic Calls For Understanding In Speeding Up Play

epa03667266 Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball to Juan Monaco of Argentina during his third round match at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 18 April 2013. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER |

Novak Djokovic is asking for a bit of understanding as the ATP attempts to speed up the game this season by coming down hard on time-wasting after the end of a point. Djokovic, making his return after an ankle injury with an opening win in Monte Carlo, got a time warning in his victory over Mikhail Youzhny but said that the chair official should have some leeway at his disposal.

“The rule is there, I have no arguments against time violation,” said the No.1 “The only argument that I have is I think it’s fair to players as the chair umpires were doing it in past years to have a pre warning.

“It’s not in the rule books, but at least if I go over the limit once, twice, I think it’s fair on a changeover, you say to the player, Okay, you’re a little bit slow, hurry up or you’re going to get a time violation. In that case I have nothing to say.”

The crackdown has been in effect since the star to 2013, basically without much complaint from most players. But slow-running Rafael Nadal has had some minor gripes with the new system.

Djokovic said that especially on clay, some leniency would not go astray. “Sometimes the players don’t have a sense of the time they spend on the court. You’re thinking of rallies, the next point, so you go over the limit. It’s a slower surface, so it requires a little bit more time.

“If the chair umpires are a little bit more fair towards the players in terms of having a pre warning, having a little chat before they really give an actual warning, I have nothing to say then.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Monte Carlo Masters, Novak Djokovic, Serbian tennis news, Sports, time rule