Novak Djokovic says conditions were ‘brutal’ in his win over Gael Monfils

WITH the temperature hitting 39C and after a four-set slog on Rod Laver Arena, a relieved Novak Djokovic was in no mood for a courtside interview following his gruelling win over a distressed Gael Monfils.

Gael Monfils seeks respite from the heat on Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Getty Images

AT 5.30pm with the fourth set newly underway, the temperature read 39.9C in the Rod Laver Arena shade.

Novak Djokovic, a six-time champion here, hid beneath wringing wet sports gear and a white cap only — the peak worn out front for maximum shade. This was no time for back-to-front style.

Gael Monfils, at the other end, wore a headband, sun protection minimal. Maybe that was the difference.

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“It was brutal, we suffered on the court today especially the first hour and a half, Gael is the best athlete in our sport,” said the Serb minutes after a near three-hour duel in conditions that went far, far beyond the cruel.

TV interviewer Jim Courier was given short shrift as he ventured on court.

“You can ask me as many questions as you want in the ice bath,” Djokovic said.

It pretty much said everything.

It was a relief to all when it ended 4-6 6-3 6-1 6-3, a fifth set would likely have seen all but the most partisan flooding to the hospitality areas, even umpire John Blom, looking more like a man who had spent a convivial afternoon in a corporate tent, his long-sleeved white shirt unbuttoned deeper than a man in his position might usually present.

A relieved Novak Djokovic after his win over Gael Monfils. Picture: AAP

But he did a fine job, as did the two men before him, albeit often seemingly at a lesser pace than perhaps we might more normally expect.

It was though, a stonking, afternoon.

The fans — exhausted already after watching two gruelling women’s matches — greeted Djokovic with genuine affection as a camera crew tracked him to his seat when he entered the fray, no further than a racquet swat away. He must have been tempted.

He looked focused, this child of the Balkans conflict with a wider perspective on life, even training as a youngster in a converted Belgrade swimming pool when the bombings put paid to his usual practice regimen.

He had also the psychological cushion of 14 straight wins over his French opponent before yesterday and, in truth, was never truly tested.

Gael Monfils pours cold water over his face to deal with the heat. Picture: Getty Images

Monfils, meanwhile, eight months older than Djokovic at 31, has had an outstanding start to the year with a tournament win in Doha before pulling out of an Adelaide exhibition tournament citing exhaustion.

It was impossible to think Djokovic would not win and the organisers knew it, a scheduling in the middle of the afternoon revealing the match to lack the tightrope possibilities that come with prime court evening affairs.

The 14th seed has reshaped his serve to a more minimalist style after last year’s elbow injury, but raw power was missing early on. The new action more fluid and functional than before but a downgrade on the missile it once was.

Australian Open Tennis 2018 - Day 4. Novak Djokovic vs Gael Monfils. Novak Djokovic backhand .Pic: Michael Klein

His second serve lacked power — or conviction — he dropped serve three times in his first four service games, a curiosity offset by otherwise blistering back-court play.

A gradually more tempered approach from the Serb as the heat showed it was not about to go away, saw Monfils drive the game and, invariably, drive long. Match over.

Djokovic is a champion, a great one, rediscovering his game.

Experience and nous saw him through and deservedly so.

It felt little more than half-powered, understandable given the conditions, but he will need to ramp up his game.

Courtside, Andre Agassi seemed to have only half got the heat memo, a black T-shirt tempered with a wide-brimmed hat that he discarded once the sun disappeared to reveal his familiar pate.

It was all very familiar, but also very odd.