"We can't change it midway in the season": Novak Djokovic latest to hit out at rule change mid-match
ATP
The Shanghai Masters has been mainly characterised by umpire outbursts with players getting time violations and fuming at the umpire. From Frances Tiafoe's swearing rant to Stefanos Tsitsipas telling the umpire he has never played tennis to be told he has, Novak Djokovic is the latest to join the ranks.
Albeit not as voiceforous as his counterparts, he didn't get why there had been no training and no notice about the rule between points as to the time clock being automatic.
During his 6-3, 6-2 win over Roman Safiullin, he received a time violation that resulted in the loss of his first serve. He asked the umpire the rule and was told but he was left frustrated and hit out.
Djokovic faced a similar penalty during his opener against Alex Michelsen where the umpire also explained that it was automated. But Djokovic doesn't seem to have got the memo and also that it had changed months ago. The issue of course for the great Serbian is he barely plays on the tour so any rule changes perhaps are slow to sink in albeit his outburst wasn't as umpire led as the others.
“I get it’s not up to you. But the rule change is unbelievable. For four years we had a situation where we can’t get the towel. The ball kids are doing their best but they’re not trained. Without even notifying any players, you start this new rule. It’s incredible honestly,” Djokovic said.
“I get it. You guys want to speed up the pace of the tennis match. But at the same time we’ve got to know if we’re starting the season this way. We can’t change it midway in the season.”
He later feigned surprise and confusion that it had been implemented since the grass court season so is a long standing rule.
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