Novak Djokovic's PTPA has backed Alexander Zverev's comments over yet another late finish this year; this time around at the 2023 China Open.
Alexander Zerev was not happy with one of his matches basically starting after midnight at the China Open, especially as it didn't have to. The match could have been moved to a different court, considering the schedule extended far beyond anybody's expectations.
The event didn't purposely have him finish a match at almost 3 a.m. local time, but they certainly didn't do anything to help him in that situation, and he called them out. It's just been one of many that caused a few players to speak out, most notably Elena Rybakina, who blasted the WTA over her late finish.
Djokovic's PTPA has backed comments by Zverev by posting an update on the situation on social media. They captioned the post with the following message: "Late-night matches don't only harm players. They have negative consequences for fans, ball kids, event employees, and all stakeholders involved," as the organisation executive director Ahmad Nassar explained in a video message.
Some tournaments have a curfew, which is laudable. Some tournaments have no curfew and seem to revel in late-ending matches and almost taking a victory lap when a match ends at 2 am, 3 am or even 4 am local time.
That from a playing perspective doesn't really make sense and neither does it make sense from a fan perspective, a broadcasting perspective and any commercial partner perspective. If you look in the stands and zoom out from the exhausted players at those matches, the fans are mostly gone. They have jobs, they have families and things to do, they just need to go to sleep.
It is becoming a growing issue with more players speaking up about it, so something will have to give in the future. We'll see if the Tours actively engage with it. So far, it's been radio silence.
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