Djokovic powers past Goffin despite ‘completely ridiculous’ time violation
NOVAK Djokovic was less than impressed with receiving a time violation in his win over David Goffin, calling it “completely ridiculous”.
The world No 2 eased past Goffin 6-1 6-2 to secure his third straight win at the ATP World Tour Finals.
But there was a moment of frustration for Djokovic during the fifth game of the match when he was given a time violation for taking too long between points.
It came at the end of a lengthy point that Goffin, who was a substitute after Gael Monfils withdrew with injury, won with a lob.
Djokovic remonstrated with the umpire at the change of ends and expressed his frustration to Sky Sports after the match.
“It’s really not fair I get a call violation for going a few seconds over the time. I understand there is a rule but there is also an understanding of the game,” he said.
Djokovic not happy about receiving a time violation. Tells umpire Fergus Murphy: "You have no clue about the game." #ATPFinals
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) November 17, 2016
“It was a long point, it was the fifth game of the match, it was the first time I went over the allowed time, and he gives me a warning. He doesn’t recognise the situation and the circumstances we were in, because if he did he would tell me to hurry up a bit. I don’t understand why he did it.
“There should be fairness to this rule. If you go over for the first time you have plenty of time to tell me. If you give me a warning after that I won’t say a word, but not the first time I go over. I think it’s completely ridiculous.”
Sky Sports analyst Leif Shiras said afterwards he favours the introduction of a shot clock so players can see how long they take between points.
And former world No 4 Greg Rusedski added: “You get a warning first, saying you have gone over by a few seconds, then next time told ‘I will call you’. That’s an unwritten rule. At the end of the day, let’s have some common sense.”
Aside from the time violation, there was little for Djokovic to complain about during a routine win.
“I felt the most comfortable today from all the three matches I have played,” he said. “I felt I increased the level and quality of tennis. So that’s a good sign.
“It’s not easy for him, he came here and practised for the last couple of days, he didn’t play his best tennis but I wish him all the best and he is a great player.”
Djokovic will now look ahead to the semi-finals as he continues his quest to win the tournament for a fifth year in a row and finish the year as world No 1 ahead of Andy Murray.
“There’s no stress at all,” he added. “We come here to play and enjoy. This is one of the best tournaments in the world so I am just having fun on the court.”
Originally published as ‘You have no clue about the game’
