Drama has erupted just one hour into the Australian Open final after world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz took issue with the Rod Laver Arena roof appearing to close slightly after the second set.
The second coldest day of the tournament reduced temperatures to just 16C, with an apparent temperature of around just 10C, when Novak Djokovic sent down his first serve against world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz.
High winds and spots of drizzle through the afternoon led to a debate around whether organisers and the chair umpire would keep the roof open for the match — and they did, to a degree.
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The roof was open almost to a minimum from the start of the match to maintain its status as an outdoor event.
But after levelling the match at one set all, Alcaraz began questioning chair umpire John Blom, an Australian, over whether it was closing further.
“Why it’s closing? The player doesn’t know that, you know what I mean?” Alcaraz said.
Alcaraz struggled to adapt to the cold and windy conditions in the first set, and the widespread belief is that Djokovic would benefit if the roof needed to close.
“These are the intangibles that happen in massive matches,” Mark Petchey said in commentary.
“He is now saying that roof has gotten considerably closer together and he wants to know why.”
Tournament referee Wayne McEwen emerged on the scene to chat with Alcaraz while tournament director and Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley was also seen on the phone nearby.
Djokovic had been off the court for a toilet break at the time.
As play resumed to begin the third set rain began falling through the small gap in the roof.
“The tournament have been absolutely wise in their decision to let the roof get to that stage,” Petchey said, noting the match would resume quicker after a stoppage to close it entirely.
“If he can somehow stumble through this particular game and get it on the board, Djokovic, and then the roof shuts, that may change the complexion of this match entirely. One of the best players ever with a roof over his head, Djokovic.”
But play continued without issue as in the high winds kept the rain clouds moving past Rod Laver Arena.
The roof had been a serious talking point before the match.
“There’s something still to play out here, that’s for sure. The radar says there’s no rain on the radar for at least 90 minutes or so but whether the roof closes is up to the referees,” Todd Woodbridge said on Nine.
“The other thing is there’s 40-50km/h winds — it is blowing an absolute gale out behind us. Now if the roof is open, the court here is somewhat protected, but it will definitely make a difference on the ball striking early on in the match.”
John McEnroe even wondered if the roof should be closed if it gets too cold.
“I would like to see it closed, only because I think the level of play will go up — because these winds are howling pretty good,” he said.
Australian great Wally Masur had “mixed feelings”.
“It’s an open-air tournament, obviously, and if there’s any chance to have the roof open you have to,” he said on the world feed.
“But it’s cold, it’s breezy. It’s going to be somewhat gusty. I think if the roof was closed it would favour Novak because the way he hit the ball the other night it was just so clean.
“Those dead conditions with the roof closed, I think Carlos would have a harder time in the strike zone. But with the wind and conditions it’s going to be a night for improvisation, spin, top spin will have a heavy effect, this will help Carlos to a degree.”
