French Open: Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic say quarter-final was 'too late'

The French Open quarter-finals started too late after their four-hour match ended in Paris.

In the night session, Nadal beat his rival in four sets.

Asked if it was too late to play, Nadal said it was. I understand television pays a lot of money but we need to find a balance.

The broadcasters say it will be a day match. They give money. They decide.

Spanish fifth seed Nadal, going for a record-extending 14th men's singles title, won against Serbia's Djokovic.

The night sessions for the Grand Slam were not fully open to fans because of the coronaviruses restrictions in France.

The night matches are shown on Amazon Prime in France.

The late sessions, which have separate ticket sales from the day, have been criticized for the lack of women's matches.

It was the second finish in French Open history, but it was 11 minutes short of the 2020 quarter-finals between the Spaniard and Italy's Jannik Sinner.

There are differing opinions about the night sessions, according to world number one Djokovic.

They are starting too late. TV decides. That is the world we are living in.

Many of the fans who stayed were wrapped up in blankets, despite the late finish and low temperatures.

Afterwards, 21-time major champion Nadal thanked the crowd.

He will play Alexander Zverev in the semifinals on Friday.

It has been an emotional night for Nadal.

Is it just a quarter-finals match? I did not win anything. I will be back on court in two days. It means a lot to me that I'm playing in the semi-finals again.

'I am pouring everything that I have to try to play this tournament'

Nadal had feared his career was over because of a chronic foot problem which restricted him to only one tournament in the final seven months of the year.

The problem flared up again during the Italian Open and he said the crowd at the French Open have been amazing since the beginning of the tournament.

He said in Rome that he would have his doctor with him. You can do things that help the doctor. It is not the right time to discuss that. When my tournament is over, we will talk about that.

I am pouring everything I have to try to play well in this tournament. I don't know what will happen after but I think I will be fine.

I have what I have in my foot. It is becoming difficult for me if we are not able to find an improvement or small solution. I enjoy every day that I have the chance to be here and not think about what will happen in the future.

I will keep trying to find a solution, but we haven't found one yet.