A hectic and rainy day in Paris saw players get creative during delays.
It was practically raining all day and many players were asked to stay on court during spells of light drizzles, waiting for the weather to improve.
During Novak Djokovic’s match with Joao Sousa, the world No2 invited a ball kid, who was carrying an umbrella for him, to join him on the bench as they both waited for the rain to subside.
He offered him a drink and they shared a toast, chatting away until it was time to get serious again.
“We had a nice chat. He’s a tennis player, so I asked him how long he’s been playing and how he’s enjoying his time as a ball kid,” Djokovic said. “We waited for around 10 minutes in the pouring rain on the court, so I felt I should make a new friend.”
Djokovic was also asked a comical question about giving up gluten. A journalist asked him whether he would become a better writer if he followed in the Serb’s footsteps and quit gluten.
“I’m sure that gluten is a great obstacle for your writing. You should change your diet,” suggested Djokovic.
Getting your facts right
Over in the other interview room, Frenchman Nicolas Mahut was congratulated for losing a match.
The veteran lost in four to Mikhail Kukushkin but apparently the journalist asking the very first question of the presser thought he had won.
A stunned Mahut hit back: “Congratulations? I lost.”
Reporter: “You lost? Okay. So what happened?”
Mahut responded: “Are you serious? Did you watch the match?”
Reporter: “No, I didn’t. I was told that you won. I’m sorry.”
A frustrated Mahut fired back: “Questions in French, please.”
See the frosty echange below.
