'We will wait': Fuming Novak Djokovic protests after lights switched on midway through set
Updated . First published at
A misjudgement from Australian Open organisers in the middle of Novak Djokovic's second round match against Jaime Faria, left the 24-time grand slam winner fuming.
After one of the best rallies of the tournament in the second set, which lasted 29 shots, Djokovic held serve to level at 5-5.
But after his celebration for outlasting Faria calmed down, an odd exchange ensued.
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Djokovic began to complain to the umpire about the sudden use of the floodlights on Rod Laver Arena.
The 37-year-old even protested that he wouldn't go back on court until they were turned off.
Novak Djokovic was left fuming after the lighst were suddenly switched on at Rod Laver Arena. Getty
"We will wait for them to switch them off," Djokovic said.
"Wait for the end of the set if they want to switch them on."
The umpire then quickly asked if he wanted the lights off, and acted on his request to shut them off with a phone call.
Jaime Faria admitted he also wasn't consulted about the decision.
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Novak Djokovic was left fuming after the lights were suddenly switched on at Rod Laver Arena. Nine
When the lights finally were switched back off, a chorus of cheers rang out through Rod Laver Arena.
Not long after, at the end of the second set, which Djokovic dropped in a tiebreak, 7-4, the umpire laughed off being asked about the lights yet again.
"Lights on or off? I don't know," she smiled.
Then, Melbourne's rain briefly hit, with the Rod Laver Arena roof forced to be closed as players were told to have a brief break.
