CARLOS ALCARAZ got into a heated row with the chair umpire and tournament referee over a mid-match controversy during the Australian Open final.
Alcaraz, 22, dropped the first set but levelled things up by claiming the second against Novak Djokovic on Rod Laver Arena.
However, as Djokovic headed off court for a change of clothes, the Spaniard was shown in animated discussion with umpire John Blom.
Alcaraz was unhappy the roof was being partially closed – but not fully.
He was overheard complaining that the “players had not been told” and did not appear to be informed why the roof was being moved across.
Alcaraz repeatedly told his camp: “No lo se [I don’t know].”
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He then had a discussion with Australian Open tournament referee Wayne McKewen.
Director Craig Tiley was also spotted on the phone as Alcaraz waited for Djokovic to return.
Alcaraz will have likely wanted the roof kept open as he had found his range in the windy conditions, which saw the first four breaks all come from the same end of the court.
He was surely aware closing the roof would have calmed the wind down and made it an indoor match, favouring Djokovic.
And so it proved, as even closing partially appeared to settle the conditions.
Tim Henman on TNT Sports commentary provided an update a few minutes later.
He said he had heard from the referee’s office that the decision was made to partially close the roof because it was “raining very close by”.
It was therefore a precautionary move so the roof would be ready to shut swiftly if it did start raining at Melbourne Park, hence shortening the delay.
Alcaraz put the drama behind him to hold in his first two service games of the third set.
And he nudged in front for the first time in the match, breaking Djokovic in game five.
Both men went into the eagerly-anticipated final knowing tennis history would be written.
Either Djokovic would become the first singles player, male or female, to win 25 Grand Slams and take the outright record.
Or Alcaraz would become the youngest man to win the Career Grand Slam – all four Majors – surpassing his compatriot Rafael Nadal, who watched on from the front row.
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