Tennis LIVE: Raducanu addresses Grand Slam boycott calls as Djokovic suffers new blow

Jannik Sinner has had his say after WTA No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka suggested players could boycott the Grand Slam tournaments if their requests about prize money, player welfare contributions, and representation in decision-making are not heard.

“I think the top-10 men, top-10 women, we wrote a letter. It's not nice that after one year we are not even close to conclusion of what we would like to have. Talking in other sports, if the top athletes, they send important letters, I truly believe that within 48 hours, you have not only a response but you also have a meeting with this kind of thing, so…” the ATP No. 1 said in Rome.

Addressing other players' boycott comments, he added:

“Of course, it's tough to say. I cannot predict the future in a way. But, in the same time, I also believe that somewhere we need to start. I understand other players not playing. But yeah, let's see. Definitely, I can see all the press conferences, and I'm definitely not the only one. It's the first time that I feel like the players are all in the same scenario and in the same point of view.”

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British qualifier Jacob Fearnley is out of the Italian Open. Fearnley met Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round, in a match that started on Wednesday night, but was suspended for rain with the Brit leading 5-3.

When they returned to the court on Thursday, Mpetshi Perricard was the one in control. He broke as Fearnley served for the first set and then won it in a tiebreak. The qualifier stole set two and forced a decider, but it’s the Frenchman who has claimed a 7-6(6) 4-6 6-2 victory, much to the delight of the crowd, who have been chanting his name all afternoon.

It's another loss for the Brits after Katie Boulter was ousted by Eva Lys on Wednesday.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka believes people have paid “too much attention” to some shock early exits at the recent Madrid Open.

Sabalenka lost to Hailey Baptiste in the quarter-finals, while Elena Rybakina was beaten by lucky loser Anastasia Potapova in round four.

Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff were hit by an illness going around the tournament. Swiatek retired mid-match in the third round, while Gauff lost in round four – a day after throwing up on court and coming from behind to beat Sorana Cirstea. But Sabalenka thinks the top players’ surprise losses were an anomaly.

“So many players got sick. So many players pull out. So many top players pull out. So many players didn't feel well while playing there. Plus the conditions,” she said.

“I mean, once again, we’re all human beings. It's okay to drop the level sometimes. I just really hope it's not going to happen on the bigger tournaments, like Grand Slams, and here in Rome also. It's okay. I mean, like, you're paying too much attention to that. Sometimes it happens.”

Matteo Berrettini confronted chair umpire Aurelie Tourte when she called a let in the middle of a rally as the vibration dampener on Alexei Popyrin's racket flew off and sailed across the court.

Berrettini had a 15-30 lead on Popyrin's serve in the first game of set two. And he looked in control of the rally, but the 'let' call came just before Popyrin hit the ball. The Aussie sent it wide, but they replayed the point because of Tourte's call.

Italian star Berrettini, who would have been awarded a break point if the umpire didn't say anything, argued that it was "never" a let call. But it changed nothing. They replayed the point, and Popyrin held serve.

The Italian fans on Centre Court weren't happy with the decision, whistling and booing as the let call came, and jeering again when Popyrin won the next point.

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It's day three of the Italian Open, and organisers are already having to play catch-up with the schedule after play was suspended on Wednesday evening due to rain.

British star Jacob Fearnley led Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 5-3 in the first set of their match on Court Pietrangeli when they were rained off, and they will return today.

That match will resume second on Pietrangeli, following the conclusion of Svrcina vs Kecmanovic.

Federico Cina vs Alexander Blockx will also resume second on the SuperTennis Arena today, as will Marton Fucsovics vs Dino Prizmic on Court 13, and Marcos Giron vs Marin Cilic on Court 14.

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