Novak Djokovic lashes out at umpire about 'unbelievable' new rule in Shanghai Masters 2024: "Can't change it midway in the season"

Novak Djokovic is the latest in the list of players lashing out at chair umpires at the 2024 Shanghai Masters. The Serb was penalized with a time violation which led to him criticizing the newly introduced automatic shot clock rule.

During his 6-3, 6-2 fourth-round victory against Roman Safiullin, Djokovic received a time violation that resulted in the loss of his first serve. The World No. 4 seemingly asked chair umpire Nacho Forcadell about the ruling. Forcadell explained:

"It’s automatic, three seconds, Novak."

Forcadell referred to the shot clock that begins three seconds after the completion of the previous point. Players are then given 25 seconds to serve, and if they exceed this time, they lose their first serve.

Djokovic had faced a similar penalty during his Shanghai Masters opener against Alex Michelsen, where chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani also explained that the timing was automated and not under the umpire’s control.

Frustrated by this recurring issue, Djokovic launched into a heated response, calling the rule change "unbelievable" and noting how players were not notified of its introduction.

“I get it’s not up to you. But the rule change is unbelievable. 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, you start this new rule. It’s incredible honestly,” Djokovic said.

“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.”

The Serb was further surprised to learn from Forcadell that this rule had already been in effect since the grass season.

Djokovic’s confusion may have stemmed from the fact that his last ATP event had been the Geneva Open, which was played in May. After the ATP 250 event, he competed in three Grand Slams and two international events—the Olympics and Davis Cup—none of which enforced the automatic shot clock rule.

Djokovic joins Frances Tiafoe, Alexander Zverev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas on the list of players lashing out at umpires in Shanghai this year. Tiafoe and Tsitsipas' fury also stemmed from a time violation. Notably, Carlos Alcaraz had also criticized the use of the automatic shot clock during the Queen's Club Championships.

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Novak Djokovic was unhappy with a time violation during his Shanghai Masters 2024 2R against Alex Michelsen

Novak Djokovic at the 2024 Shanghai Rolex Masters (Image: Getty)

Novak Djokovic received a bye in the first round of the Shanghai Masters and faced Alex Michelsen in the second round. During his 7-6, 7-6 win over the American, the World No. 4 had received a time violation in the second set.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion was unhappy with the call and questioned the chair umpire, Mohamed Lahyani:

"Why do you do this man? Why do you do this man?" he asked.

The umpire responded by explaining that the Masters 1000 event was using an automated shot clock and the umpire had no control over it.

The Serb has been in great form at the Shanghai Masters and is yet to lose a set. He has set up a quarterfinal against 19-year-old Jakub Mensik on October 11. The Czech youngster, on the other hand, has seen all his matches in Shanghai go the distance. However, he has impressively got the better of sixth seed Andrey Rublev and ninth seed Grigor Dimitrov to reach the quarterfinal.

Djokovic will take on Mensik for the first time on tour in the quarterfinal of the 2024 Shanghai Masters.