There were bizarre scenes in the final of the Australian Open on Sunday morning, with Carlos Alcaraz unhappy with a decision regarding the roof.
The Spaniard had just drawn level with Novak Djokovic, having won the second set after losing the first, when the incident took place.
With rain expected, the roof was closed. However, instead of the full way, it was still left open in the middle.
Alcaraz was utterly perplexed, with the tennis star moaning to the umpire and confronting officials.
The 22-year-old, who is looking to become the youngest male player in history to achieve the career Grand Slam, wanted it to stay open because the weather hadn’t yet taken a turn for the worse.
Reacting on commentary for the BBC, former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash believed Alcaraz had every right to be unhappy.
“I agree with Carlos – if it’s not raining, open it. Carlos is very upset about it,” he said.
Alcaraz arguing about the roof being partial closed? #AusOpen #AO26 pic.twitter.com/zTT1X5rRhc
— Kiki (@Nessiechu) February 1, 2026
Tim Henman, commentating for TNT Sports, was equally bemused.
“If it’s going to rain, why have they closed it so significantly?” he said.
In the aftermath of the incident, Australian Open chief Craig Tiley was seen on his walkie-talkie. However, the roof remained slightly open and the third set commenced as normal.
Carlos Alcaraz moans to the umpire during Sunday’s Australian Open final showdown with Novak Djokovic
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Djokovic started the better of the two men at the Rod Laver Arena.
The Serb, on a high after his pulsating victory over Jannik Sinner in Friday’s semi-final clash, secured the first break of the match in the fourth game.
The 38-year-old, who is bidding to move ahead of Margaret Court with 25 Grand Slam titles, then served out the first set to take control.
