Novak Djokovic has angrily hit out at the implementation of tennis’ new serve clock rule.
Players now have 25 seconds from three seconds after the previous point has been played to serve the next point – with time counted by an automatic shot clock.
Djokovic expressed his frustration at the rule during his round-of-16 clash against Roman SafiullinAFP
Previously, the timer would start after the umpire had entered in the point change.
The ATP had been testing the new rule since June and unanimously agreed to use it in tournaments this season.
However, the change has certainly endured its teething problems with players becoming confused with some claiming it has not been communicated efficiently.
Djokovic has become the latest player to voice his frustration over the rule during his match at the Shanghai Masters on Wednesday.
“I get it’s not up to you but the rule change is unbelievable,” Djokovic told the umpire mid-match. “For four years we had a situation where we can’t get the towel. The ball kids are doing their best but they’re not trained.
“Without even notifying any players, they start this new rule. It’s incredible honestly. I get it. You guys want to speed up the pace of the tennis match.
“But at the same time we’ve got to know if we’re starting the season this way. We can’t change it midway in the season.”
American star Francis Tiafoe had similar frustrations this week with the rule and took his annoyance out on a chair umpire after he was called out for a serve clock violation.
However, Djokovic was undeterred by the change as he cantered to a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Russia’s Roman Safiullin to book his spot in the quarter-finals.
The Serbian will face Czechia’s Jakub Mensík on Friday for a place in the last four on the same day Taylor Fritz goes up against David Goffin.
It was all smiles in the end for Djokovic who booked his place in the last eight at Shanghai
Thursday’s quarter-final action sees world No1 Jannik Sinner face Daniil Medvedev before Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz plays Tomas Machac.
Meanwhile, Djokovic recently surpassed Rafael Nadal for the best winning percentage at ATP Masters 1000 events after his third-round win against Flavio Cobolli in Shanghai.
The world No. 4 was already the record-holder for most ATP Masters 1000 titles with 40.
His third-round triumph was his 406th in Masters 100 events, nudging him past Nadal on 82.02 percent with the Spaniard on 82.00 percent.
