Short court: Centre sees Djokovic, Federer advance via retirements

A Centre Court ticket was a hot one heading into a Tuesday schedule that included both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

That ticket went from hero to zero in a hurry.

The two men’s matches on Wimbledon’s marquee court lasted a grand total of one hour and 23 minutes–combined. Djokovic got a retirement from Martin Klizan while leading 6-3, 2-0 and Federer advanced in almost identical fashion when Alexandr Dolgopolov called it quits with the Swiss ahead 6-3, 3-0. Federer and Dolgopolov were on court for all of 43 minutes–three more, actually, than Djokovic and Klizan.

Klizan retired with a calf injury, while an ankle problem did in Dolgopolov.

“It’s really odd that Roger’s result and my result more or less was the same,” Djokovic commented. “We had a little joke about it in the locker room, saying we should maybe play a practice set on Centre Court; have the crowd stay. But they had another match.

“This tournament has a special place in players’ careers. In this sport, there’s so much weight behind it and significance about it. The aura of Wimbledon has probably always been the strongest of any other tournament. I’m sure that most of the players on the tour, if not all, feel that. Especially if you walk out on Centre Court, there is a responsibility. I’m sure they tried their best, but it is what it is.”

“I felt like there was a bit of a letdown from the crowd,” Federer said, referring to the moment Dolgopolov pulled the ripcord. “They couldn’t believe that it happened again–exactly the same situation. I feel for the crowd. They’re there to watch good tennis; proper tennis. At least they see the two of us who gave it all they had. They saw other players that tried at least. It’s unfortunate that it happened today like this.

“I found [Djokovic] in the locker room. I told him, ‘Maybe we should go out and play another set.'”

John Isner got in a full three sets on Court 14, but even he also appeared to come close to getting a retirement. Fellow American Taylor Fritz took an injury timeout in the second set to get his right groin checked out, but he managed to finish the match. Isner had little trouble advancing 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-3.

“I think you get a situation where, especially when you’re playing a guy like Novak or Roger, you have to be 100 percent fit if you want to have any chance to beat them,” Isner explained. “If you’re not feeling fit–if something’s bothering you–then you really have zero chance to win. Those guys are going to pull the plug.

“It never happens to me. I have played over 550 matches or something (and) I have had one retirement (against me).”

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