The French Open organizers are facing criticism from all sides for booking Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal, the highlight match of the second week at Roland Garros.
The order of play for Tuesday will be published on Monday afternoon, and fans of both sportsmen will be looking for any advantage in the pair’s 59th clash.
Djokovic has won 30 of them, but has only beaten Nadal twice at the French Open, including last year’s semi-final.
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However, if the organisers opt to arrange the encounter as a night match beneath the roof and floodlights of Court Philippe Chatrier, those classic Roland Garros conditions may be somewhat neutralised.
The tournament’s two French broadcasters, as well as the two players’ camps, are reportedly pressuring the French Tennis Federation (FFT) and tournament director Amelie Mauresmo to schedule the match in their preferred time window.
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Amazon Prime Video has purchased a portion of the TV rights to air the one evening match on Chatrier and all of the play on Court Simonne Mathieu, Roland Garros’ third-largest court. Amazon is campaigning for Nadal vs. Djokovic to be included in their slot, which begins at 8.45 pm local time, and Prime Video’s managing director Alex Green was in the presidential box on Sunday alongside Thierry Henry.
When asked if he preferred day or night matches, Djokovic quipped earlier in the event that “Rafa and I would make different requests.”
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“The tournament director, along with TV, broadcasters, I think in the end of the day that that’s who decides. TV, whether they want your match, day or night,” Djokovic said, adding.
“You just have to adjust to that. Obviously, depending on who you play, sometimes it’s favourable to play night; sometimes day. There is no standard or no formula that works always.”