Djokovic demands lights, action at Roland Garros

PARIS (AFP) –

Employees remove water from a tarpaulin covering the Philippe Chatrier central tennis court as rain falls on the third day of the French Open at the Roland Garros Stadium in Paris on May 28, 2013. World number one Novak Djokovic called for the French Open to install floodlights to help clear the backlog of rain-hit matches.

World number one Novak Djokovic called for the French Open to install floodlights to help clear the backlog of rain-hit matches and claimed that a five-year wait to have a roof-covered showcourt was too long.

Top seed Djokovic only got on court at just after 1830 (1630GMT) on Tuesday to kick off his 2013 campaign in Paris where he seeks a first Roland Garros title and to become just the eighth man to complete the career Grand Slam.

In all 13 matches were held over to Wednesday while three others were suspended due to darkness after rain delays of four hours played havoc with the schedule.

Djokovic believes that the 2018 target for a retractable roof to built on the showpiece Court Philippe Chatrier is not the most pressing concern even if a covered centre court will bring the tournament into line with the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

“It seems a long way from now, but it is what it is. And at least for the future of our sport we’re gonna have all centre courts covered except the US Open. We’re gonna need that, as well,” said the Serb.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic serves to Belgium’s David Goffin during a French tennis Open first round match at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris on May 28, 2013. Djokovic beat Goffin 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 7-5.

“I think what is more needed here is the lights on the centre court, because, you know, you stop play at 9:00, 9:30 because you can’t see anymore.

“So at least you could have lights so the play can go for a few more hours. And I believe that’s not something that is big comparing to the project of the roof. So I hope it’s gonna happen in next year or two.”

A roof on the main Court Philippe Chatrier is the centrepiece of a controversial 340-million-euro project to expand and improve the cramped Roland Garros site in the west of Paris.

Court Suzanne Lenglen, the complex’s second show court, will be renovated, a new 5,000-seater arena will be built as will a new training centre.

Djokovic, the runner-up to Rafael Nadal last year, started his campaign by beating David Goffin of Belgium 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 7-5 to reach the second round.

“I warmed up five or six times because of the rain, then you have to adjust your tactics because of the damp conditions,” said Djokovic, who next faces Guido Pella of Argentina, the world number 83.

“You need to step into the court and hit the ball.

“He did really well, played some nice tennis. It was tough, I had to fight but I played my best tennis when I had to.”