How Novak Djokovic got the easiest run of any Australian Open player: ‘unprecedented’ favouritism
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Novak Djokovic has stormed into his 10th Australian Open men’s singles final without playing a single match during the day as the tournament is accused of showing “extreme” favoritism towards the Serbian star.
Djokovic has looked unbeatable in his 18th appearance at the Melbourne Grand Slam, dropping just one set throughout his campaign.
Novak Djokovic has not played a single day at this year’s Australian Open, which may be a first for the tournament.
Djokovic has looked unbeatable in his 18th outing at the Melbourne Major, dropping just one set on his campaign, but he has held a huge lead.
However, some have questioned the integrity of the tournament, as the 21-time Grand Slam champion was given an “extreme” competitive advantage with the scheduling of his matches.
Djokovic has played seven night matches at Rod Laver Arena, something that has never happened before at the Australian Open, according to sports reporter Catherine Whittaker.
‘The best players get preferential treatment in terms of programming. God knows,” Whittaker said in The tennis podcast.
This is not news. This is not specific to Djokovic by any means, but it is a bit extreme.
“I don’t think there was anyone who played all seven games the night before.” [at the Australian Open].’
Djokovic’s seven night matches at Rod Laver Arena is something that has never happened before, according to sports reporter Catherine Whittaker.
She continued: ‘Isn’t there a stage in the tournament where sports integrity comes into play?
‘His last two losses [at the Australian Open] It came in daytime sessions… I still think I’d be in the final if I had played all the games in the daytime session, I’m just saying it makes a difference. It’s no big deal.
Whittaker hasn’t been the only one to point out unusual scheduling during the Australian Open, with tennis fans taking to social media about it.
“Please review the last 15 editions and let me know if anyone ever got an easy draw like Djokovic in 2023. Day/night matches, open/closed roof, etc. as per your wish are just added benefits,” one Twitter commented. Username.
Whittaker hasn’t been the only one to point out unusual scheduling during the Australian Open, with tennis fans on social media pointing it out.
‘7/7 night matches for Novak Djokovic, the simplest draw to the final, while supposedly injured,’ said another.
‘Djokovic playing ALL 7 (assuming he beats Paul) games at night is certainly something very unique. You can check out the last 15 editions, and I haven’t seen a single player/finalist play ALL 7 at night. I have seen 6/7, but never 7/7’, said a third.
In 2018, Roger Federer was accused of receiving preferential treatment at the Australian Open and on the ATP World Tour.
French player Julien Benneteau caused a stir during an interview when he said tournament officials were kinder to Federer by giving him night games and allowing him to avoid the January heat in Melbourne.
Djokovic jumped to Federer’s defense at the time, saying he deserves to be treated differently from lesser-known stars.
Djokovic jumped to the defense of Federer, who was accused of receiving preferential treatment in 2018, saying he deserves special treatment.
“At the end of the day, in a way, he deserves special treatment because he’s a six-time Australian Open champion and arguably the greatest player of all time,” Djokovic said.
‘If he doesn’t have it, who is going to have it? People want to see him play Center Court, and they want to see him play on showtime, prime time, which is 7:30 p.m. at Rod Laver Arena.
‘I understand Julien’s point because sometimes it seems that certain players are more favored year after year in certain tournaments.
“On the other hand, you have to understand that Federer is a driving force in tennis in terms of revenue, in terms of attention.”
Novak Djokovic will take on Stefanos Tsitsipas at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday night and will aim to claim his 22nd Grand Slam title and 10th Australian Open trophy.