French Open | Novak Djokovic enters Quarter-finals, complains about slippery court
Novak Djokovic advanced to the Quarter-finals of the French Open by defeating Fernando Verdasco and later, took a dig at the organizers for not watering the courts on Sunday. Djokovic was seen losing his footing a few times during the match, but managed to get a 6-3 6-4 6-2 win in the fourth round.
Novak Djokovic settled affairs in the fourth round of French Open against Fernando Verdasco quite clinically and advanced into the Quarter-finals of the highly coveted tournament. He later took a dig at French Open organizers for not watering the courts on Sunday. Verdasco gave the Serb moments early on but it was the slippery Court Phillipe Chatrier clay that raised Djokovic`s concerns. The 12 time Grand Slam champion appeared to lose his footing a few times during his 6-3 6-4 6-2 fourth-round win and he made his feelings known to the chair umpire.
"It was a very warm day, and after the first set they decided not to water the court, which I thought it was not the right decision," Djokovic told reporters as quoted by TOI.
"I just questioned the decision from the chair umpire, actually, that he's listening to the grounds people.
"What I don't like is that there is no participation of the players. So they don`t ask players whether -- you know, we are the ones who are playing and sliding and not sliding, so we can give them the most important feedback. It doesn't seem like they care too much about our opinion, and that's something I don`t like."
Djokovic looked shaky to start off as Verdasco's thunderous groundstrokes were becoming difficult to manage, however, Djokovic, in pursuit of his 13th Grand Slam, managed to overcome Verdasco’s fire. Having seen off Verdasco's early charge he said he felt in control and was clinical in taking his break points.
"That was quite a beginning for both of us. Very physical, very long games, a lot of exchanges. He's got weapons everywhere. Serve, forehand, everything. He loves playing on clay. But I think in the most important moments today, I just managed to play an extra shot in the court and just made him run and just made him uncomfortable," he said.
Djokovic, who missed the second half of last season with an elbow injury, said he was happy to be back in the second week of a Grand Slam.
"It's important for me, especially considering all the circumstances that I was in in the last 15 months. It's quite an achievement to get to the quarters of a Slam for me. I have been many, many times in quarters of Roland Garros and all the slams, and of course, I do appreciate it, considering it's a different kind of situation for me. But I don't want to stop here," Djokovic concluded.
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