Australian Open 2023 – Novak Djokovic takes risky “toilet break” and avoids time violation

In principle, toilet breaks are only allowed between sets.

Once the professionals have entered the toilet, the ATP stipulates three minutes. Two extra minutes are added if the player wants to change clothes.

Compliance with the regulations is usually strictly checked, as there have been massive discrepancies among the active members in this regard in recent years.

In particular, Stefanos Tsitsipas’ toilet breaks at the US Open 2021, which were too long from the point of view of some opponents, made waves.

Djokovic was now less controversial. However: Since he is not entitled to a classic toilet break in the middle of a sentence, chair umpire Aurélie Tourte pushed the pace. “I call out ‘Time’ and then he has 30 seconds to come back,” said the Frenchwoman.

Djokovic back on the pitch in time

“Novak can go out, but then he only has the time he is generally entitled to between two games,” explained ex-pro Markus Zoecke, who accompanied the match as a TV expert for Eurosport.

A few moments later, Djokovic was back on the pitch and was able to continue the game on time. Otherwise, the record tournament winner would have been threatened with a so-called time violation.

In the end, the superstar won 6: 3, 6: 4, 6: 0.