‘Not a good image,’ says Djokovic after Olympic victory over unranked player

PARIS – Novak Djokovic said his 6-0, 6-1 victory over unranked Matthew Ebden in just 53 minutes at the Olympic Games on July 27 was “not a good image” for tennis and demanded a change in the rules regarding late calls.

Djokovic had little trouble with the 36-year-old Australian, who was included in the draw at the last minute after Holger Rune withdrew due to injury.

Ebden, a doubles specialist, had not played a singles match for two years when, to his great surprise, he was called up to play.

World champion Jannik Sinner also withdrew, with tonsillitis, and was replaced by the number 275 ranked Hady Habib. He was promptly defeated in straight sets by Wimbledon and French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz on July 27.

“I really don’t understand the rules,” said world number two Djokovic, after his walk under the roof of Court Philippe Chatrier.

“I don’t think it’s logical that someone retires from singles and you call up a doubles player to play singles.

“I don’t think it’s a good image for the sport, to be honest. There are a lot of singles players who had plenty of time to get here and could have been called up.

“This part I don’t understand at all. I hope the ITF (International Tennis Federation) and the Olympics change the rule because it was tough for Matt. He hasn’t played singles in two years.”

Under ITF rules, any withdrawals in singles are replaced by the highest ranked singles player in doubles.

If there are no players left with a singles ranking, the highest-ranked doubles players will be used as substitutes.

Andy Murray’s withdrawal from the singles event left a spot open for Dutchman Robin Haase, whose singles ranking now stands at 1,196.

Djokovic needed just 24 minutes to decide the first set against Ebden and was already 4-0 up in the second set before his opponent won a game.