Novak Djokovic briefly halted play during his opening match at the French Open as he approached the umpire and took issue with the conditions on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Commentators speculated that the world No. 6 didn't want to continue through the breezy conditions, and the supervisor was called out to speak with Djokovic, who wanted the roof closed.

The three-time champion in Paris was seen in conversation with the chair umpire during the changeover at 3-2, but he still wasn't happy when he retreated to the baseline, explaining that the clay was blowing in his eyes.

“I think that's possibly what the conversation at the changeover might have been about, how are we going to manage the time clock here?” Miles Maclagan said in commentary as the Serb approached the chair while McDonald waited to serve.

“He has had problems occasionally because he wears contacts, Djokovic. Dusty conditions.”

Discussions continued, with Djokovic clearly not keen on playing, and the umpire called the supervisor to the court.

“If you are not happy to play, we stop. I’ve called him and he’s on the way, you can speak to him. We wait and he’s coming,” chair umpire Damien Dumusois told the sixth seed before supervisor Ali Nili came out.

It was a very windy afternoon, and some raindrops also started to fall as Djokovic and Nili started chatting. “We have a roof,” the Serb pointed out.

“If I’m Mackenzie McDonald and I’m hearing that, I’m pushing very hard to keep the roof open,” Maclagan added.

Djokovic continued to hang around the umpire’s chair, pacing around the service box while unhappy with the conditions. McDonald sat at his bench as both players waited for the breezy conditions to pass. “For the time being, wind stops play,” co-commentator Nick Mullins announced.

The umpire made an announcement on the court but within minutes, Djokovic changed his tune and returned to the baseline to keep playing. The sixth seed immediately broke his opponent, but the supervisor remained near the court as the weather continued to wreak havoc.

McDonald was the one asking about the roof next, claiming he thought it would be closed after his service game, but the umpire confirmed play was continuing. There was another discussion, but with play continuing on the outdoor courts as normal, Djokovic and McDonald also had to carry on.

They played two more games before Nili returned again, and play was once again halted as fans on Chatrier started to boo.

The umpire could be heard informing both players that the roof was going to close - a process that takes around 10 minutes. The floodlights were turned on, illuminating the centre court, but they decided to play on while the roof slowly made its way across the stadium.

Djokovic attempted to serve for the set while the cover came over them, with tournament director Amelie Mauresmo standing courtside to keep an eye on things. He was made to work for the service hold, but he closed out a dramatic first set 6-3.