PARIS. – Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff stressed the need to start matches earlier at Grand Slams after defending champion Novak Djokovic came through a marathon third-round clash that ended in the early hours of Sunday morning.
After rain delays forced organizers to wedge another match into Saturday’s packed schedule, Djokovic was taken all the way by Lorenzo Musetti but fed on the crowd’s energy to prevail in the latest ever Roland Garros finish at a little past 3 a.m.
Swiatek romped to a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Anastasia Potapova in 40 minutes on Sunday afternoon and said that late-finishing matches were not ideal for fans or players.
“It’s not easy to play and it’s not like we’re going to fall asleep one hour after the match,” Swiatek told reporters.
“Usually, it takes us four hours to even chill and you need to do recovery, media. It’s not like the work ends when the match point (is won).
“I was always one of the players that said that we should start a little bit earlier. Also, I don’t know if the fans are watching these matches if they must go to work next day or something when the matches are finishing at 2 or 3 a.m.”
Former Roland Garros runner-up Coco Gauff echoed Swiatek’s comment, saying it may be not fair for those who must play late in the evening.
“Because it does ruin your schedule. I’ve been lucky, I haven’t been put in a super late finish yet,” said Gauff, who beat Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-1, 6-2 in an hour.
The WTA and ATP Tours made a joint announcement this year limiting the number of matches that can be scheduled on a court in an evening session and banning contests beginning after 11 p.m. in the interests of player welfare.
Gauff said it was an idea that the Grand Slams could look into as well.
“Maybe if a match is going long, possibly moving courts,” Gauff added. “I know it’s tough because, especially here, it’s only one night match, and people paid for those tickets.
“It’s a complicated thing, but I think for the health and safety of the players it would be in the sport’s best interest to try to avoid those matches finishing–or starting after a certain time.
