Novak Djokovic made light of the rain at the French Open on Wednesday, borrowing the fisherman’s hat of his on-court interviewer, former French player Fabrice Santoro.
Following his weather-affected victory, the world No 1 said: ‘He (Santoro) was obviously well prepared . . . we just had a little joke about it. It’s good to bring a little bit of positive energy in these grey days.’
Djokovic is bidding to become only the eighth player in history to complete a career Grand Slam by winning for the first time at Roland Garros.
The world No 1 refused to join in the chorus of complainants who had to play through the drizzle on Tuesday after making his way through to a delayed quarter-final to be staged on Friday lunchtime.
Djokovic finally saw off troublesome Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut after a third-set resumption, beating him 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-5, a win which makes him the first tennis player to pass $100million (£69.3m) in prize money. He now meets one of his perennial whipping boys, the Czech Tomas Berdych.Djokovic, who is renowned for his comical personality, sought help from a ballboy for his celebrations
The 29-year-old Serb complained about similar conditions when he lost to Andy Murray in last month’s Italian Open final, but was in jolly enough mood to don a fisherman’s hat as he was interviewed after completing the fourth round.
‘Yesterday the match was interrupted three times, and of course it wasn’t easy coming in here at 9am and leaving at 7.30 or 8pm,’ he said.
‘But it’s not the first and probably not the last time I’m going to have to face these particular circumstances. Conditions were definitely on the edge throughout the entire day yesterday. Bautista and I played more than two sets in the mist!’