'Who are they?': Novak Djokovic's request for closed roof in rain labelled 'so unfair'

Novak Djokovic's call for the retractable roof to be closed during his win over Mackenzie McDonald due to unruly wind gusts sparked controversy at Roland-Garros.

Djokovic beat McDonald 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 in his first-round match in which the Serbian briefly halted play due to his concerns over the weather on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

The 24-time grand slam winner was 3-2 up in the opening set when the stormy conditions started to cause an issue.

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The 38-year-old approached the chair umpire and supervisor, urging them to close the roof.

Little chunks of clay were being lifted from the court, Djokovic protested.

"Well, this does not happen very often, does it?" said EuroSport commentator Nick Mullins.

"I can't remember this sort of conversation here for a long time.

"For the time being, wind stops play."

That led to Australian Rennae Stubbs, a former world No.1 in doubles, to label Djokovic's request "so unfair."

"If they're still playing on the outside courts, you should still be playing on [Court Philippe-Chatrier].

"Even if you have a roof, you cannot have preference for what [you] want. It's not fair to everyone else and your opponent.

"This is SO UNFAIR to every other player playing out there on the outside courts. Nonsense from the referee. He should say, too bad, [you] have to play [because] no one else is stopping outside. Yes the weather sucks, the wind sucks but I can tell [you], this is unfair for others."

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A retractable roof was added to centre court in 2020, but it was left open when the match between Djokovic and McDonald got underway.

And officials refused to budge to the Serbian star's request, with play continuing. on for a period.

However, It was eventually closed later in the match when McDonald also complained about the wind.

Speaking to media after the match Djokovic said there was nothing malicious in his exchange with the umpire.

"I was just asking how long are we going to have to play in that rain. It was pouring rain out on the court, it was impacting the court as well.

"The answer I got from the chair umpire was they decided to wait. So I asked, 'who are they and where are they?' He said it's supervisors and others who are waiting to leave it open. I just asked to speak to them and can they come and see it, because it's a lot different from seeing it in the office or stands.

"That's all that was to it. Even if they decide to close the roof, play was still going to continue. So I said, 'what difference does it make if we close it now compared to 15 minutes' lets say. McDonald was also complaining about it.

"When I broke his serve at 3-2 he asked them why they're not closing it now. It was quite confusing because on the radar they were not seeing anything.

"The supervisor said all the other courts are playing outside in the same conditions but I said, 'yeah but we're on the court with the roof.'

Djokovic compiled 32 winners — 18 more than McDonald — and just 20 unforced errors.

Before Djokovic, who just turned 38 and won his 100th career title last weekend, walked onto the playing surface, he was identified by the stadium announcer by his total number of Slam trophies, the three he's won at the French Open, and the Summer Games gold he won “here in Paris.”

“I still remember last year’s Olympic Games. It was the last time I was here,” Djokovic said afterward. “The emotion is very strong.”

He added: “I don’t have the medal with me. But I have a picture of the medal in my bag,” he said. “The medal is with my father. My dad likes trophies more than I do, so I gave him mine.”

- with AP