Dark ages at French Open as Alcaraz says ‘unfair’ if last-eight tie at night

PARIS: Carlos Alcaraz claimed Sunday that it would “not be fair” if he has to play his French Open quarter-final on Tuesday night with Rafael Nadal pushing for a daytime slot for his blockbuster clash with Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz has already played two night sessions at this year’s Roland Garros and could face a third when he tackles Alexander Zverev for a place in the semifinals. Nadal, who has made no secret of his dislike of playing clay court tennis after dark, and Djokovic have played just one night match apiece.

Their quarter-final is also scheduled for Tuesday on Court Philippe Chatrier. “Honestly, it wouldn’t seem fair to me. I’ve already played twice in the evening,” 19-year-old Alcaraz said on after defeating Karen Khachanov to book a maiden last-eight place in Paris.

On Friday evening, he played Sebastian Korda in the third round. “I’m not saying that it bothers me to play in the evening, but obviously I have less recovery time, if I finish very late all the time. “When we finish at midnight, with all that comes with it — dinner, physio, trying to come down in terms of adrenaline — it’s harder to recover.

“If I play a third time in the evening, honestly it seems unfair to me,” he concluded. Ten night sessions are being held this year after making their debut in 2021 as part of the French Tennis Federation’s three-year deal with Amazon Prime. Nadal’s lone night match was on Wednesday when he easily defeated France’s Corentin Moutet.