Ebden just asked people in the crowd if they wanted to play against Djokovic instead of him 😭😂 Down 0-6 0-2, although, to be fair, Matthew hasn’t played a singles match in TWO YEARS 😅
'Fancy a game?' Ebden's hilarious proposal to fans in losing match against Djokovic
ATPSaturday, 27 July 2024 at 18:00
Matthew Ebden has seen the funny side throughout of being called up late to play Novak Djokovic at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games due to rules which see doubles players called up in the event of withdrawals.
Ebden was roundly trounced by the 24-time Grand Slam champion 6-0, 6-1 and at one point was asking fans if they wanted to step in and take his place in the match.
First he asked a fan if he wanted to take his place then he celebrated wildly when he won his sole game in the tie. Djokovic has done his part too in setting up the highly anticipated tie with Rafael Nadal who is likely to play tomorrow at the Olympic Games in singles.
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As expected both Djokovic and also Carlos Alcaraz faced little trouble in finding their way through to the second round. The latter facing a Lebanese player Hady Habib who won three games in the opening set to throw the fear into the Spaniard. But it was pretty comprehensive aside from that for the Roland Garros champion.
“Safe to say l'm officially retired from singles after that. It was a pleasure to share the court with you Novak for one last singles match on Philippe Chatrier here at the Olympics. All the best for the rest of the tournament (and if it's not one of our Aussies) I hope you get the 🥇 🐐," wrote Ebden on Instagram. Djokovic himself berated the fact that the Olympic Games rules made this match a reality with Ebden not playing singles for two years.
With players such as Matteo Berrettini playing in Europe this week, Djokovic believes that a standby system should be in place even for a rule that has been in place for years. It has seen not only Ebden play but also Robin Haase who was once a quality singles operator but hasn't played for a number of years face Sebastian Ofner.
Sometimes it helps the cause like Lulu Sun being asked to step in against Marta Kostyuk due to Yulia Putintseva's withdrawal but Ebden's case is one that in the view of some including Djokovic could've been avoided. But at least for the Aussie he found it funny despite getting well beaten.
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mandoist16-09-2024 - No offence, Mr. Lloyd, but where have you been the past two years?? How long have you been a tennis fan? This 'article' may be informative for newbies or fair-weather tennis observers but the majority of fans know the root of the multiple issues within WTA. The #1 issue being the subject of health & well-being which has been (or has attempted to be) addressed with the WTA Elitist council members last season. WTA was extremely dismissive of players' concerns and opposed to such a meeting. Eventually giving-in due to publicity and allowed selective players only -- no rep's, no medical personnel, and no team members. The meeting was a farce as WTA soon after that released an even more hectic schedule... with mandatory tourneys! Guess they weren't taking notes?? BTW: There is a lot missing from this piece concerning "withdrawals". No writer has yet taken the jump to get behind the scenes and dig at the problems -- obvious organizational problems. IMO, the top two issues are WTA's lack of proper attention to health & well-being of its Money-Makers; and Financial Greed. Tip to Mr. Lloyd: there is no "snubbing" when these players withdraw. These women have to take such measures as withdrawing from a tourney, and occasional time-off from the circuit, to protect themselves -- because WTA refuses to take any measures at all (although not allowing matches until sunrise is a start). Surely you can do better than point fingers at players. The finger-pointing should be directed entirely at WTA (and ATP). Be a true journalist, Mr. Lloyd, and research them!!mandoist16-09-2024
- Uh-oh.... Now Raducanu is being forced to compete! Let's see who withdraws next... I wonder??mandoist15-09-2024
- And this is such a shock to WTA?? How many times are they (WTA & ATP) going to keep stepping in their own s*** ???mandoist15-09-2024
- They can go down together!mandoist15-09-2024
