CARLOS ALCARAZ got into a heated row with the chair umpire over a mid-match controversy during the Australian Open final.
Alcaraz, 22, levelled things up by claiming the second set against Novak Djokovic on Rod Laver Arena.
However, as Djokovic headed off court for a change of clothes, the Spaniard was shown in animated discussion with umpire John Blom.
Alcaraz was unhappy the roof was being partially closed – but not fully.
He was overheard complaining that the “players had not been told” and did not appear to be informed why the roof was being moved across.
Alcaraz repeatedly told his camp: “No lo se [I don’t know].”
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He then had a discussion with Australian Open tournament referee Wayne McKewen.
Director Craig Tiley was also spotted on the phone as Alcaraz waited for Djokovic to return.
Alcaraz will have likely wanted the roof kept open as he had found his range in the windy conditions, which saw the first four breaks all come from the same end of the court.
Closing the roof may well have calmed the wind down and would have made it an indoor match, favouring Djokovic.
And so it proved, as even closing partially appeared to settle the conditions.
Tim Henman on TNT Sports commentary provided an update a few mintues later.
He said he had heard from the referee’s office the decision was made to partially close the roof because it was “raining very close by”.
It was therefore a precautionary move so the roof would be ready to shut swiftly if it did start raining at Melbourne Park, hence shortening the delay.
Alcaraz put the drama behind him to hold in his first two service games of the third set.
And he nudged in front for the first time in the match, breaking Djokovic in game five.
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