Novak Djokovic dismisses Jannik Sinner comparison in frustration over Centre Court roof closing decision - 'I don't care'

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Novak Djokovic was left frustrated after the Centre Court roof closed earlier than expected during his Wimbledon quarter-final against Felix Auger-Aliassime, complaining about a lack of ”consistency” at the Grand Slam.

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The decision was made to close the roof at around 19:40 UK time following the conclusion of the second set, which Auger-Alissiame won to level the match. That was despite there still being clear blue skies overhead and plenty of light left in the day.

Djokovic made that point to Wimbledon referee Denise Parnell, as well as referencing the fact that the roof has been closed much later on previous days.

”The other day they didn’t close it until 20:30 and now you want to close it?" asked Djokovic.

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"You don’t want to get to 20:30? It’s 19:40. We can play another set. We are an outdoor tournament."

Djokovic then appeared to respond to a comment from Parnell about Jannik Sinner’s fourth-round match against Shintaro Mochizuki, which saw the roof closed at 4-4 in the second set, at around 20:25.

”With Jannik, I don’t care what happens in his matches,” said Djokovic.

”I’m talking about our match right now. You remember the first round, you didn’t close it until like 20:20. Now you want to close it at 19:40. Where’s the consistency?

”You’re so proud of your rules and you’re not sticking to any kind of rules. You have no idea what the rule is.”

The Centre Court roof takes around 10 minutes to close and Djokovic left the court as it did so on this occasion.

The players then warmed up when the roof had closed before restarting the match at 19:54.

Djokovic had won a dramatic first set 12-10 in a tie-break after receiving treatment on his lower leg.

But Auger-Aliassime battled back to take the second set before Djokovic won the third 6-3. Auger-Aliassime then claimed the fourth in a tie-break before the pair went to a super tie-break in the fifth set.

Djokovic prevailed 10-4 to set up a meeting with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the semis.

Former Wimbledon doubles champion Todd Woodbridge said he understood why Djokovic was unhappy about the roof closing.

”Novak Djokovic is right about the roof situation. There is at least another 40 minutes of sunlight, you can play a set of tennis within 40 minutes,” he said on the BBC.

”I’m a bit perplexed when every night we have played until a certain point.”

Tim Henman added: ”He doesn’t want the interruption. The other night he felt the light wasn’t good and looking out there now could they carry on? They probably could, but from Denise Parnell’s view she would probably like to close the roof at a convenient time and that is the end of the set.

”It’s a conservative time to shut the roof.”

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