Novak Djokovic is not happy with the midnight matches of the ongoing US Open. Djokovic however reached the second round of the tournament defeating qualifier Radu Albot 6-2 6-2 6-4. The two-hour and seven-minute match stretched until midnight at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The pair could not take to the court until late due to Clara Burel’s comeback win over Sloane Stephens, who crumbled in three sets after leading 6-0 3-0.

“Well, I do not think that aging helps really staying so late and playing very late,” 37-year-old Djokovic explained reporters.

“I can feel, you know, my batteries are low now. I’m shutting down.

“But it’s been a long wait, to be honest. I thought I was going to go out on the court, like, 8:15 p.m. because Stephens was 6-0 3-0 serving, and then all of a sudden it turns out to be a two-and-a-half hour match or whatever.

He added, “You just have to accept it, I guess. I like playing night matches, but I love to start first. So hopefully I get more chances to play at night and am scheduled first so we can start at a more decent time and finish at a more decent time.” 

Djokovic returned to the court for the first time since winning a long-coveted Olympic gold medal in the singles at Paris.