A chorus of boos echoed around Miami's Hard Rock Stadium as fans discovered the news that Novak Djokovic wouldn't appear on court due to a severe scheduling delay.
Five matches were set in stone on Centre Court for Thursday's action, but Miami organisers opted to commence the first match at 1pm local time.
Although Philippine wildcard Alexandra Eala stunned world No.2 Iga Świątek in straight sets, the following three matches involving Alexander Zverev v Arthur Fils, Grigor Dimitrov v Francisco Cerúndolo and Jessica Pegula v Emma Raducanu went the distance.
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Djokovic and Sebastian Korda were due to round off the day's play. However, per the new rules enforced by the Miami Open, no matches are to start after 11pm local time unless approved by an ATP/WTA supervisor in consultation with ATP/WTA management.
The First Serve can confirm that many fans in attendance for the Pegula v Raducanu match, which concluded at 11:25pm local time, were present to see Djokovic, waiting nearly two hours to get into the night session.
Understandably, fans were furious when the announcement was made public.
Prominent tennis journalist José Morgado revealed a fascinating development proving that tournament organisers have not read the room.
"So the same scheduling timings that flopped today WILL BE REPEATED TOMORROW! Pure stupidity," he wrote on X.
Friday's Miami schedule:
1pm
Arthur Fils v Jukub Menšík
3pm
Aryna Sabalenka v Jasmine Paolini
Novak Djokovic v Sebastian Korda
7pm
Taylor Fritz v Matteo Berrettini
8:30pm
Alexandra Eala v Jessica Pegula
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