Sensitive decision made : Nadal to face Djokovic in night session

Rafael Nadal usually isn’t a fan of playing at night at the French Open but his quarterfinal blockbuster against Novak Djokovic will take place under the lights

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, night session © Panoramic / Tennis Majors

Ravi Ubha

May 30, 2022

Advantage Novak Djokovic well before yet another highly anticipated showdown with Rafael Nadal at the French Open? Their Tuesday quarterfinal at Roland-Garros will take place in the night session on Court Philippe-Chatrier, seemingly going against Nadal’s wishes.

The decision could be considered a very sensible one by new tournament director Amelie Mauresmo.

On the one hand, Nadal and the longtime Roland-Garros public broadcaster in France, France Televisions, wanted the match in the day session. Meanwhile, Djokovic and pay streaming service Amazon Prime — broadcaster of the night sessions at Roland-Garros since last year – wanted it at night. Djokovic indeed uttered as much on France 2.

Intense negociations

Amazon is a newcomer in the French sports market and broke all habits for those French viewers. Finally, after intense negotiations, Tennis Majors understands that the French Tennis Federation couldn’t avoid letting Amazon show the most anticipated match of the fortnight yet also asked for free access — which was accepted.

Amélie Mauresmo, Roland-Garros, 2021, Directrice — Amélie Mauresmo, © Panoramic, Tennis Majors

French viewers won’t have to pay or even register to watch the legends go head to head.

On the court, the Spaniard isn’t a fan of night matches on clay, based on what he uttered following a straight-set win over Botic van de Zandschulp in the third round.

I don’t like to play on clay during the night, because humidity is higher, the ball is slower, and it can be heavy
Rafael Nadal

“I don’t like night sessions on clay. I am very clear with that,” Nadal, who downed Corentin Moutet in a second-round tilt under the lights, told reporters.

“I don’t like to play on clay during the night, because humidity is higher, the ball is slower, and can be very heavy conditions especially when it’s cold.

“I think that makes a big difference who plays tennis on clay during the night and during the day.”

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, Roland-Garros 2021 © AI / Reuters / Panoramic

In 2020, Nadal could afford it easily

Chilly temperatures in Paris the last couple of days will give way to slightly warmer conditions on Tuesday, although far from the heat that makes Nadal’s heavy forehands jump off the clay and wreak havoc on opponents.

If the quarterfinal starts on time at 20.45 local time, temperatures, according to one forecast, will hover at 19 degrees Celsius before continuing to drop.

Anyway this atmospheric conditions aspects never had a great influence on the output between these two in Paris. The men’s record 21-time Grand Slam winner cruised to the title at Roland Garros during the fall edition in October 2020, when he also wasn’t a fan of the balls. He deflated Djokovic in final, under the roof, by 12 degrees Celcius.

In 2021, the semi-final between Nadal and Djokovic started under the day light and ended at night after a 4-sets battle. Djokovic prevailed. In 2015, Djokovic beat Nadal in three sets under the typical sunny situation loved by Nadal.

Sunday, the Spaniard said that any match at Roland-Garros was eventually his last one now, considering his physical shape.