"Why is Novak playing on Lenglen taking into account he's bigger name than any player there excluding Nadal?" - Tennis fans react to Novak Djokovic not being scheduled on Philippe-Chatrier

Tennis fans react to the Serb being made to play at Court Suzanne-Lenglen instead of the main court.
Tennis fans react to the Serb being made to play at Court Suzanne-Lenglen instead of the main court.

The schedule for Day 8 of the 2022 French Open, featuring the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, was released earlier today and has left tennis fans fuming.

Court Philippe-Chatrier, the most prominent of all the courts in Paris, features, among other important clashes, the one between Nadal and Felix Auger-Aliassime in the afternoon slot and the one between Alcaraz and Karen Khachanov at night.

Djokovic's match against Diego Schwartzman, though, has been pushed to Court Suzanne-Lenglen, the second-biggest court in the complex. With the World No. 1 being the defending champion and Schwartzman a former semifinalist at the event, it is arguably a bigger match-up than the Alcaraz-Khachanov fixture.

Users on Twitter took offense to the scheduling, remarking that it was unfair to give the main court to Alcaraz and have the 20-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic on Lenglen.

It should be noted that Alcaraz was given Philippe-Chatrier for his previous match against Sebastian Korda as well. Djokovic also played on the main court that day, while Nadal's match was moved to Court Suzanne-Lenglen during the evening slot.

"The question is why is Novak playing on Lenglen taking into account that he's World No. 1, defending champion and bigger name than any other player there excluding Nadal?! Carlitos should play on Lenglen tbh," one fan argued.
"Djokovic Schwartzman on Lenglen, Khachanov Alcaraz on Chatrier tomorrow. One of these is objectively a better matchup," another account posted.
"World No. 1 and defending champion Djokovic is on Suzanne-Lenglen for his R4 match against former semi-finalist Schwartzman. Meanwhile, Alcaraz is on Philippe Chatrier for the second night in a row against Khachanov. Disrespectful and embarrassing," one user tweeted.

Some fans pointed out that maybe organizers wanted to give both Djokovic and Nadal similar time to rest ahead of their possible blockbuster quarterfinal.

"I find the choice of night match to be very interesting. Have they gone with Alcaraz vs Khachanov because they think it will be a better match or because they think Alcaraz is more blockbuster this tournament? Or is it simply so that Nadal and Djokovic have similar rest period," another user wondered.

Novak Djokovic has never lost against Diego Schwartzman

The World No. 1 is unbeaten against Diego Schwartzman so far.
The World No. 1 is unbeaten against Diego Schwartzman so far.

Novak Djokovic and Diego Schwartzman have faced off six times on the ATP tour till date, with all six meetings going in favour of the Serb. The duo have met at the French Open once before, in 2017, when the World No. 1 was stretched to five sets but eventually prevailed.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion has lost three sets against Schwartzman, but has won their last two encounters in straight sets. A win on Sunday would pit the 35-year-old against either Rafael Nadal or Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinals.

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