"She went for a change of shirt and usually you don't do that": Dokic questions Muchova changing momentum with outfit change mid match
WTAThursday, 07 September 2023 at 08:30
Former world number four Jelena Dokic questioned Czech
Republic’s tennis star Karolina Muchova for taking a break to change her shirt during the US Open 2023 quarterfinal.
The fourth and final Grand Slam of the year is moving towards
its conclusion as the remaining players continue to battle to claim the
ultimate glory.
Muchova defeated Romania’s Sorana Cirstea in the last-eight
clash of the mega-event on Tuesday with a score of 6-0, 6-3.
Despite winning the first set, the 27-year-old went off the
court in a prolonged break to change the shirt, something that left Dokic, who
was commentating in the match for Channel 9, confused.
"She went for a change of shirt and usually you don't
do that when you've got the momentum," she said. "Not only the
momentum but she won 6-0."
Muchova's absence on the court clearly left Cirstea frustrated
who expressed her feelings to the chair umpire in a heated exchange of words.
This is not the first time a player opted to take a
break in the ongoing US Open as a few days earlier, Russia’s Daniil Medvedev
went off the court after losing the first set to Australia’s Alex de Minaur.
Read also
The 27-year-old’s move was also questioned by former Australian
player and now broadcaster Todd Woodbridge who was critical of the world number
three’s tactics.
"Why do you need to leave the court for that
long?" he said on Channel 9. "It's not a toilet break, is he changing
his full kit? Shouldn't that be at a certain time? I tell you, I think our
sport really has to do something about these change-overs. It's just such a
crutch that everyone seems to go to when they're down, and it's just not part
of the game.
"It shouldn't be there, I implore our rules officials
to get in and stop all this stuff going on, because it's just momentum changes
in matches that we shouldn't have. Let's keep the game moving. It's not great
for us as broadcasters, and I think it's really gamesmanship and it needs to be
taken out. It’s such an annoying part of our game. You’re not supposed to be
doing this. And the umpire is letting him get away with it.”
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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