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Marin Cilic admits Australian Open roof controversy affected him in Roger Federer defeat

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Marin Cilic admits Australian Open roof controversy affected him in Roger Federer defeat — Cilic was the runner-up (Picture: AFP/Getty)

Marin Cilic admitted the controversial decision to close the roof of the Rod Laver Arena for the final of the Australian Open did play a part in his defeat to Roger Federer.

The Croat got off to a woeful start in a 2-6 7-6 3-6 6-4 1-6 loss to the Swiss – who won his 20th Grand Slam title in the process – and complained that the change in conditions disrupted his game.

Tournament organisers made the strange decision to play the match under the roof, a move that was criticised by former British No. 1 Greg Rusedski.

The shift appeared to favour Federer, who had practised indoors during the warm-up to the tie, while Cilic continued practising outdoors.

Australian Open statement on roof closure

During the afternoon the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index reading was above the threshold of 32.5, and was closely monitored.

At 6.30pm it was 32.7.

With no dramatic reduction in the WBGT reading forecast (the 8.30pm forecast was 32.5) the referee exercised his discretion and called for the roof to be closed.

At 7.29pm it was 32.5, and at 7.32pm, when the umpire called time to commence the match, it was 32.6.

The tournament referee made this decision based on qualified and professional advice from the Bureau of Meteorology who are on site, and the tournament’s Chief Medical Officer.

Based on their advice, and the fact that the WBGT reading had been above the 32.5 threshold for a considerable period of time, and was forecast to be at 32.5 at 8.30pm, the tournament referee used his discretion to invoke the extreme heat policy and close the roof prior to play.

At no other time during the event this year has the WBGT reading reached the threshold.

Cilic admitted he was not asked whether he wanted the roof shut, and insists he wanted the roof to be left open.

‘You know, throughout the tournament I played all my matches outdoors, also preparing a hot day, 38 degrees. Then first match for the final to play with the roof closed, it’s difficult,’ he said.

‘I have to say that decision, you know, could it have been different? I guess so. I think that it was just little bit difficult to adjust, especially the beginning of the match. With the roof closed, it was way, way cooler than I expected.

‘That was very, very difficult, especially for the final to, you know, be in that kind of a situation.

‘Well, no, they didn’t ask me. They just came to me to tell me that they are thinking about decision, and they going to make the final decision just around 7pm, just slightly before the match.

‘I didn’t mind to have roof closed, but it was a huge difference in temperature from having outside 38, then when you came in, it was like 23, 4, I don’t know. It was way cooler than I expected.

When asked if he’d argued for it to be left open, he replied: ‘No, I didn’t.

‘Coming in before the final, I didn’t want to have any negative thoughts. I was just trying to focus on myself, on that.

‘In the end of the day, it’s tough for me to change that decision. Just to lose energy before the match, it’s pointless.’

Cilic admitted that the decision upset the flow of his serve at the start of the match, conceding it perhaps worked in Federer’s favour.

When asked if it was an advantage for Federer to have the roof shut, he added: ‘I don’t know. Just looking at my own side, I didn’t feel those conditions before.

‘I had a slow start in the match, losing straightaway my two service games, then catching up most of the time.

‘But looking overall, I’m really pleased with the performance. Played great tennis over these two weeks.

‘I had tough matches, tough opponents, beating Rafa [Nadal], reaching here a final, which is definitely amazing. Looking at my own game, I think I improved a lot. I’m playing great tennis. That’s really exciting for me for this 2018.’