Johanna Konta hits out at ‘unhealthy and dangerous’ late night matches
Starting her second round match after midnight, Johanna Konta says hit out at the Australian Open organisers saying it is “quite dangerous” to play at those hours of the night.
The British number 1 player went down 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 7-5 to Garbine Muguruza in the early hours of Friday morning in Melbourne.
The match started at 00:30 and ended two hours and 42 minutes later, just after 3am.
“I don’t agree with athletes having to physically exert themselves in the wee hours of the morning,” she told the BBC.
“I don’t think it is healthy – in fact it is quite dangerous.
“However, Garbine and I were both in the same position and, with the circumstances, we really put on a great match and it’s just a shame more people couldn’t enjoy it.”
With the night’s previous match between Alexander Zverev and Jeremy Chardy going to five sets, organisers had looked into changing Konta’s match to an outside court.
https://twitter.com/bbctennis/status/1085889267279118336
They, though, were thwarted by bird droppings.
“We were actually going to go out to court three to start. There was basically seagull poo everywhere,” Konta revealed.
“They had to clean the court. By the time they would have cleaned the court, we would have been in the same boat anyway.”
Muguruza will play Timea Bacsinszky in round three.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
Andy Murray comment: How Britain’s greatest-ever sportsman won his greatest battle off court
-
EXCLUSIVE: Annabel Croft tips Novak Djokovic to dominate tennis in 2019
-
Johnny Nic: Don’t subject Andy Murray to mawkishly undignified Wimbledon send-off
-
Quiz! Test your knowledge on the history of the Australian Open
-
T365 Recall: 2009 Australian Open final featuring Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer
-
Latest
-
Tennis News
Andy Roddick gives honest verdict on Novak Djokovic’s shock coaching split
“I was surprised. You don’t look to make moves in March or April. This has had to be a surprise to both of them.”
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner makes revealing comment on his eyesight after Miami Open win
Jannik Sinner opened up on his use of contact lenses on court.
-
Tennis News
Martina Navratilova serves up a desperate verdict on Andy Murray’s comeback hopes
Andy Murray is likely to have to wait several days to learn how long he will be sidelined for by the ankle injury he suffered in Miami.
-
Tennis News
Jannik Sinner reveals he has been having Call of Duty sessions with Italian football hero
Jannik Sinner has had some high-profile gaming clashes with Italy’s No 1 goalkeeper.
-
Tennis News
Former British No 1 offers up a theory to explain Novak Djokovic’s shock announcement
Has Novak Djokovic lined up a new coach following his decision to part ways with Goran Ivanisevic?
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic’s bombshell announcement fuels growing doubts over his tennis future
Speculation swirling over Novak Djokovic’s long-term future in tennis after his shock move.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic’s final moments of dominance were hard to spot – can he reclaim his crown?
Novak Djokovic’s reign as the king of men’s tennis appeared to be set to run and run – but the mood has changed.
-
WTA Tour
Victoria Azarenka used ‘parenting techniques’ to cope with Miami Open technical meltdown
Victoria Azarenka’s latest match was held up as the line-calling technology broke down – and she was not impressed.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz makes Jannik Sinner confession during Rafael Nadal-Roger Federer rivalry comparison
“I hope it will allow me to get the best out of myself … seeing the standard he sets.”
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic 3.0: Tennis great’s latest re-invention already underway with ruthless coaching move
The innovation doesn’t stop with Novak Djokovic.