French Open - Why Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal would 'make different requests' for day or night clash

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal would each «make totally different requests» in regards to a day or night match if they are to end up facing off at the 2022 French Open. World No. 1 Djokovic could be set to face his great rival in the quarter-finals in what is a very lopsided men's draw at Roland-Garros with rising Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz also in that half of the bracket and a potential opponent in the semi-finals.

Ad/> When asked after his third-round victory at Roland-Garros about the prospect of the match-up and the scheduling that could have a significant bearing on who is declared the favourite, Djokovic was diplomatic but also clear. Roland-Garros'I was watching the Giro and admiring these guys' — Djokovic20 HOURS AGO “All I’ll say is [that] Rafa and I might make totally different requests," he said. Meanwhile, Nadal has been abundantly clear about his preference for playing on clay during the day and not at night.

«I don’t like to play on clay during the night because humidity is higher, the ball is slower, and can be very heavy conditions especially when it’s cold,» he admitted. «I think that makes a big difference on the way [you] play tennis on clay during the night and during the day.” Eurosport expert Mats Wilander has explained the differences between playing in the day and at night when it comes to Roland-Garros. “Without a doubt, yes,» Wilander said when asked if it was different playing in the day compared to the night.