Carlos Alcaraz makes ‘unfair’ level to ultimate umpire as Australian Open take prompt motion
Carlos Alcaraz complained about the Rod Laver Arena roof being adjusted during his Australian Open final against Novak Djokovic, telling officials it wasn’t fair
Carlos Alcaraz chatted to the umpire about the roof being partially closed between sets(Image: TNT Sports)
Carlos Alcaraz voiced his concerns to Australian Open final umpire John Blom about the adjusting of the Rod Laver Arena roof during his match against Novak Djokovic.
The championship duel in Melbourne was evenly matched, with both players securing a 6-2 win in the first two sets. Alcaraz, who is 16 years younger than Djokovic, managed to bounce back in the second set after losing the first.
As the Serbian player took a brief break to freshen up at the end of the second set, the world No.1 spoke with his team and pointed towards the roof before speaking to umpire Blom and tournament referee Wayne McKeown.
It became evident that the roof was gradually closing, potentially with the intention of being fully shut. Alcaraz expressed his confusion, saying: “Yeah. I know, I know. Why is it closed a little bit? That’s what I’m telling you.
“The roof is a little bit closed, and I didn’t know that. I just looked up there and was like, ‘Why’s it closed? ‘ It’s not fair on the players to know that. Do you know what I mean?”
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Former British number one Tim Henman, who was co-commentating for TNT Sports’ coverage, sought clarification from the organisers in Melbourne about the slow closure of the roof. He said that rain was due in southern Australia.
Henman explained: “I’m trying to understand why the roof is partially short, and the response was that it was raining very close by, so in preparation for shutting the roof swiftly, then a much shorter delay.”
The open roof during the first two sets allowed the wind to sweep across the court, adding an extra element to the match. The breeze was reportedly coming from the right of the umpire’s chair.
During the second set, which saw Alcaraz make a comeback to level the score at 6-2, the Spaniard’s shot clipped the net and was carried up into the air by the wind, causing the ball to land on the net as it bounced, while Djokovic prepared to respond.
The shift in weather at the Rod Laver Arena didn’t faze the 22-year-old, who was on a quest for his first Grand Slam victory down under to join the ranks of tennis greats by claiming the Career Grand Slam. He took control during the third set, clinching it 6-4.
Both contenders entered Sunday’s final after enduring gruelling semi-finals. Alcaraz’s triumph over Alexander Zverev was a five-set marathon lasting over five hours, while Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, outlasted the reigning champ Jannik Sinner.
