Alcaraz Questions ‘Unfair’ Roof Decision During Australian Open Final

Carlos Alcaraz raised concerns over a perceived unfair decision during the Australian Open final against Novak Djokovic on February 19, 2024. The world number one expressed his frustrations to the match umpire, John Blom, regarding the gradual closing of the roof at the Rod Laver Arena as the match progressed. The championship match had been tightly contested, with both players winning their first two sets 6-2.

Alcaraz, who is 16 years younger than Djokovic, had shown resilience in the second set after struggling initially. As the players entered the third set, the roof’s gradual closure became a point of contention. Alcaraz was seen gesturing toward the roof and discussing the situation with his team before bringing his concerns to the attention of Blom and tournament referee Wayne McKeown.

“Yeah. I know, I know. Why is it closed a little bit? That’s what I’m telling you,” Alcaraz said. “The roof is a little bit closed and I didn’t know that. I just looked up there and was like, ‘Why’s it closed’? It’s not fair on the players to know that. Do you know what I mean?”

The controversy arose as Djokovic took a brief break in the locker room after the second set. During that time, the roof continued to close in anticipation of rain approaching from southern Australia. Former British number one and commentator Tim Henman sought clarification regarding the roof’s adjustment and was informed that the change was a precautionary measure due to the weather.

“I’m trying to understand why the roof is partially short, and the response was that it was raining very close by so in preparation for shutting the roof swiftly then a much shorter delay,” Henman explained during the TNT Sports coverage.

Initially, the open roof played a significant role in the match, allowing for a breeze that affected the players’ shots. In the second set, Alcaraz managed to come back and equalize the match, showcasing his skill as the wind impacted one of Djokovic’s returns. The adjustment in conditions, however, did not hinder Alcaraz, who went on to take a commanding lead in the third set, winning it 6-4.

Both players demonstrated incredible stamina leading up to the final. Alcaraz’s semi-final against Alexander Zverev lasted over five hours, while Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, eliminated defending champion Jannik Sinner in back-to-back sets.

As the match unfolded, the tension surrounding the roof decision highlighted the unpredictable nature of outdoor tennis. With Alcaraz seeking his first Grand Slam title down under, the incident has sparked discussions about match conditions and player fairness during significant tournaments.