World runner-up Daniil Medvedev defeated Kazakh Alexander Bublik 6-4, 7-6 in the first round.
The match started around 12.30 local time in 32-degree heat in Tokyo and the Russian thought that the heat was among the worst he has played in. Now he wants to postpone the start times in the tennis tournament.
- I do not think they will change it in the middle of the tournament, but that is what can be done and the fact that we only have one minute between page changes is a joke, he says and continues:
- I think if you ask 200 tennis players here, 195 of us think that one minute is a joke.
Djokovic won in two straight
For Medvedev, the goal is Olympic gold, but one who wants to prevent it is Novak Djokovic.
The Serbian world setter won as planned against Hugo Dellien from Bolivia with 6-2, 6-2.
Afterwards, Djokovic was asked if he agreed with Medvedev on the start times.
- To 100 percent, he says.
Djokovic says he has raised it with the International Tennis Federation.
Hoping for change
- They could make life so much easier for us and I do not understand why they do not change it.
I do not think they will do it but we hope so.
Djokovic is a big Olympic favorite and he has already won the grand slam tournaments Australian Open, French Championships and Wimbledon this year.
The Serb is looking for a so-called "Golden Slam" by winning the Olympics and also the US Open this autumn.