The world’s best tennis player Novak Djokovic has been shabbily treated at the Australian Open.
Australians have always prided themselves as being fair-minded – they have been renowned for that worldwide – and for providing a level playing field.
Until now.
When Djokovic meets Andy Murray tomorrow night at Melbourne Park in the final of the men’s singles, Murray will have the unfair advantage of an extra 24 hours rest after his semi, thanks to a major scheduling stuff-up.
The women’s semis followed each other on the same day, so there was no time lapse advantage to either Serena Williams or Maria Sharapova for their decider.
But Murray won his semi against Tomas Berdych on Thursday night after the women’s semis, while Djokovic’s semi against defending champion Stan Wawrinka was held over until Friday night.
Inexcusable.
So apart from the obvious advantage to Andy Murray, how does he shape up against Novak Djokovic?
In the six rounds to date:
Djokovic has been on court for 13 hours 12 minutes – Murray 12 hours 58.
Both have won 18 sets to 2.
Murray has won 125 games, and lost 72 – Djokovic 120 games to 75.
Murray has struck 65 aces, Djokovic 53.
Djokovic has made 14 double faults, Murray 12.
Murray has struck 230 winners, Djokovic 208.
Murray has made 176 unforced errors, Djokovic 154.
Murray has converted 34 of 72 break points for 47.22 per cent, Djokovic only 26 of 74 for 35.13 per cent.
Murray has covered 15,967 metres on court, Djokovic 12,192.
While Murray’s opponents have covered 15,431 metres, Djokovic’s 11,713.
The last two sets of stats make interesting reading.The losing opponents have covered less distance than the winners.
Apart from that, there’s very little difference in the overall stats to suggest favouritism.
Djokovic is a far better player this year than last, thanks to coach Boris Becker. And the same applies to Murray since taking on Amelie Mauresmo as coach.
It’s fitting that the two best players over the last fortnight have made it to the decider.
I can’t go past Novak Djokovic to win his fifth Australian Open to leave four-time Australian champions Jack Crawford, Ken Rosewall, Andre Agassi, and Roger Federer behind, and close in on Roy Emerson’s record six.
While defeat would mean four lost Australian Open finals for the Scot – three to Djokovic, and one to Federer.
The final say is in their head-to-head clashes, where Djokovic leads 15-8, including the last four in their only meetings throughout 2014.
Sandy B
Guest
so David it is fairer to have one played at 40C in the sun (if not 50C in the sun), while the other in the relative cool of the evening? I heard Roger Rasheed interviewed the other day, and he said that most players would prefer the 48 hour break NOT the 72 hour break.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
That doesn't solve the problem though does it. The one who played in the heT of the day could claim that the one who played in the cool of the evening had an advantage. The reality is they're elite professional sportsmen - this is a nothing issue.
Barry from Brisbane
Guest
Couldn't agree more - but the comment that really took my attention was that Australians are famously fair minded and provide an eve playing field - how does the behaviour of the cricket team fit with that - I've concluded that mr. Lord is simply click bait...
James Silver
Roar Guru
It's not a scheduling stuff up at all, it has been the same situation for the past decade. Playing the final on a Sunday night also gives the player with less rest 48 hours between matches ensuring that they are 100% rested for the final. Have a look at the Australian Open Finals, and you will see that there is no advantage gained at all of having a 72 hour rest. 2014 Wawrinka (more rested) beat Nadal. 2013 Djokovic (rested) beat Murray. 2012 Djokovic beat Nadal (rested). 2011 Djokovic (rested) beat Murray. 2010 Federer beat Murray (rested). 2009 Nadal beat Federer (rested). 2008 Djokovic beat Tsonga (rested). Therefore in the last 7 years the player with less rest has won 4-3. Thus, no obvious advantage can be ascertained.
Nordburg
Guest
Oh David,surely you are not as dumb as that statement suggested?Lets break this down-if both semis were played on the Thursday,Novak and Sam would not get a break between their Quarter Final due to them playing on Wednesday.If both Semis played on Friday,Murray and Berdych would of had 3 days off between the Quarters and Semis due to a Tuesday Quarter.Whilst that benefits or hinders,depending on their situation,both players,it stops the momentum of the tournament.In this situation that we have,both players get at least 2 days off,sponsors and TV get what they want and the flow of the tournament is not broken up between the Quarters and Semis -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
David Lord
Expert
Nordburg, the women's semis were played back to back on Thursday, so the only possible reason for splitting the men's semis would be financial greed. There's no reason why the men's semis couldn't be split on the same day, one in the afternoon. the other at night, in case both were four to five hour marathons.
pjm
Roar Rookie
He included Mauresmo because David Lord is a condescending feminist.
Nordburg
Guest
HenryL,how do you suggest they fix the scheduling?The only way it can be done is if the women start their tournament on the Monday and the men on the Tuesday.This then means more than likely the women's day would finish early,due to the length of their games and the men's day would finish at about 2am the next day -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
HenryL
Guest
Whether it's been going on for 1 year or 100 years he still has a point ,an extra days rest must be an advantage. Warwinka had Djokovic last night but didn't play very well in the last set ,very strange match,not sure whether it was the heavy hitting ,both players looked patchy at times,maybe it was the pressure they were under and class of opponent.
JimmyB
Guest
For what it's worth, I don't think the scheduling will dictate who wins, yes Murray has had an extra days rest, but he's also had an extra day to lose his rhythm. I suspect and hope that it will be a classic, Murray is starting to look very impressive again. It was a very strange match, Djokovic v Warwinka and given the respective Semis performances, it's a 'brave' man who gives it to Djokovic so unquestioningly.
JimmyB
Guest
'Too many assumptions in this article.' Erm, have you read a David Lord article before?
Nordburg
Guest
mds1970 you stole my thunder.I heard renowned Tennis writer Leo Schlink say those very comments this morning.The two separate days for semis have been going on for at least 10 yrs -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Having one semi on Thursday and the other on Friday has been the way it's been done for years. And more often than not, the Friday semi winner has gone on to win the final.
Frozennorth
Guest
Djoker is better this year than last? Based on what exactly? He was awful against Wawrinka, Wawrinka was just worse. And if he is better it's because of Becker? Based on what exactly? Same for Muzza, where's the proof that it's Mauresmo responsible for his better showing? I'd suggest he is finally fit and motivated after exhaustion and injury butchered his second half of 2013. Too many assumptions in this article.