Report: Did Novak Djokovic leave the French Open facility before the demolition?
The organizers of the French Open interrupted the semifinals between Dominic Thiem and Novak Djokovic. When the score was 6: 2, 3: 6, 3: 1, both players had to leave Court Philippe Chatrier and will only enter it again on Saturday afternoon. Occasional rumors report that Djokovic may have forced this demolition.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jun 08, 2019, 11:59 am
As Eurosport presenter and ex-professional Barbara Schett reported on air on Friday evening, the Serb is said to have left the facility at Bois du Boulogne before the decision to continue the match on Saturday.
Other local journalists have found that the players should have heard of the decision before the official announcement. It would make sense that the professionals are the first to know about it.
Dominic Thiem with break lead in set three
The fact is that Thiem broke in the fourth game of the third set. Moments later, Djokovic went to his bag and left the place without a word. Thiem was still on the baseline when the world's number one had almost disappeared into the catacombs.
Just after the shift became known, numerous photos of a bright blue sky over Paris appeared on social networks. It is clear that the rumors have not been confirmed by the official side.
In the first semi-final of the day , Rafael Nadal prevailed against Roger Federer in three sets under windy conditions . The postponement of the second match is a certain start advantage in the final for the twelve-time French Open finalist.
Once again, of course, there is the question of the more than overdue roof in Paris. Various information from the organizers speaks of a functioning retractable roof from 2021, others already from 2020 as originally planned.
At Roland Garros, Suzanne Lenglen is talking about a possible roofing up to the year 2024, also because the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games 2024 may take place there.
UPDATE:
Barbara Schett apologized on social media for the obviously wrong report: