Cilic cites closed roof for loss
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Australian Open runner-up Marin Cilic queried the decision to close the roof at Rod Laver Arena for the men鈥檚 final yesterday and said it had contributed to his slow start in defeat to Roger Federer.
Having prepared for the match exposed to the elements on a scorching hot day, Croatian Cilic lost 2-6, 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-3, 1-6 in the much cooler indoor conditions in the evening match.
Federer, who trained indoors earlier in the day, wrapped up the opening set in 24 minutes as a flustered Cilic struggled to find his range.
鈥淭hroughout the tournament I played all my matches outdoors, also preparing (for) a hot day, 38 degrees,鈥 the sixth seed and former US Open champion Cilic told reporters.
鈥淭hen (for) the first match for the final to play with the roof closed, it鈥檚 difficult.
鈥淚 have to say that decision, could it have been different?
鈥淚 guess so. I think that it was just little bit difficult to adjust, especially at the beginning.鈥
The retractable roofs of the main showcourts at Melbourne Park are usually kept open unless the tournament鈥檚 extreme heat policy is invoked when the temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius and a key humidity threshold has been surpassed.
Tournament organizers cited the 鈥榳et bulb globe temperature鈥, its humidity measure, as being above the threshold of 32.5 as the reason for the roof closure. The temperature outside, however, was 37 degrees when Cilic and Federer walked out on court.
The roof closure triggered a barrage of criticism from current and former players, with former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash saying it played right into 36-year-old Federer鈥檚 hands.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an outdoor tournament 鈥 it鈥檚 like Wimbledon. Why is the roof closed?鈥 the Australian said. 鈥淭he way Roger plays, he swings so hard at the ball and takes it so early, any wind or variation of the ball moving will take it away from him. It鈥檚 why he鈥檚 one of the best players ever indoors.鈥
Other players expressed similar disdain.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 believe they鈥檝e closed the roof,鈥 British doubles player Jamie Murray, the brother of three-time grand slam champion Andy Murray, tweeted.
鈥淎bsolutely ridiculous that the roof is closed for the Australian Open. GS are outdoor events. Yes it鈥檚 hot but the court is under shade and an evening match,鈥 tweeted British former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski.
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