“The fans thinks he complains too much” after Novak Djokovic calls for Olympic rule change after dismantling first-round opponent

Novak Djokovic calls for Olympic rule change after dismantling first-round opponent

Novak Djokovic is representing Serbia in his fifth Olympic Games but has been left baffled by a rule which saw him tasked with beating an opponent who has not played singles in two years

Novak Djokovic has called upon the International Federation and the Olympics to change a rule following his opening win in Paris.

The 24-times grand slam winner and 2008 Olympic bronze medalist dismantled Australian opponent Matthew Ebden 6-0, 6-1 in less than an hour. The 36-year-old Ebden had not played a singles match in more than two years.

Djokovic was left frustrated despite a straightforward victory, after Ebden entered the draw at Roland Garros after a number of pull-outs. Olympic tennis regulations meant that if a singles athlete withdraws after July 19, that a doubles player already at the Olympics is called up to represent their nation as an alternate.

The Serbian superstar believes tennis stars who were in place as alternates should have been asked to come instead of world’s third-ranked doubles players being tasked with pulling double duty. Djokovic said: “I really don’t understand the rules, they’re really not logical for m

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“I don’t think it’s a good image for the sport, to be honest. There were a lot of singles players that had plenty of time, that were alternates, that could’ve been called to come.

“So this part I don’t get, I really hope the ITF along with the Olympics will consider changing this rule.”

Djokovic added: “It’s tough on Matthew because he hasn’t played a singles practice in two years, he’s told me it’s been over two years [since] he played a singles match.