Paris Masters adjusts schedule after Jannik Sinner's controversial 2023 exit

Tuesday, 29 October 2024 at 01:30

The Paris Masters organizers have taken steps to avoid renewed criticism following the controversial withdrawal of Jannik Sinner in 2023. Last year’s edition of the season’s final Masters 1000 event drew heavy criticism, with several matches concluding in the early hours.

The most talked-about incident involved the Italian, who decided to withdraw mid-tournament. The current world No. 1 won his opening battle against Mackenzie McDonald 6-7, 7-5, 6-1 in a match that stretched to nearly 3 a.m.

With little rest, Sinner withdrew before his round of 16 match against Alex De Minaur, who advanced directly to the quarterfinals. The 2-time Grand Slam champion cited fatigue as the reason for his withdrawal: “I had less than 12 hours to rest and prepare for the next game. I have to make the right decision for my health and my body,” he said.

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It wasn’t the only late finish that year: the tournament’s opening day ended at 2:22 a.m., and Andrey Rublev’s quarterfinal match against De Minaur concluded at 12:59 a.m. The next day, Rublev had to face Novak Djokovic after just a few hours of rest, in a marathon 3-hour match that ultimately went to the Serbian 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-5.

This year, the Paris Masters organizers have adjusted the schedule, shortening the order of play on Centre Court. The daytime session will feature three matches on Centre Court (one fewer than in 2024), while the evening session still has two matches but will start half an hour earlier.

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Commentator Colin Fleming noted the change during the first-round broadcast of Humbert vs. Nakashima. “Slightly revised Court Central schedule this year,” he said. “Five matches instead of six. Three in the day session and then an evening session that starts at 7 p.m. local time rather than 7:30," Fleming added.

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R2 in Paris 🇫🇷✅️ #Sinner defeats #McDonald 🇺🇸 6-7 7-5 6-1 R3 vs. #Deminaur 🇦🇺 in little more than 12 hours. This match ended at 02.35 a.m, disgraceful schedule by @RolexPMasters 🤬 #JanTheFox CLXXXIII

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1:37 AM · Nov 2, 2023

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

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