World number one Novak Djokovic demanded besieged US Open officials build a roof over one of their showcase courts as tempers boiled over at the rain-hit Grand Slam tournament on Wednesday.

Only 15 minutes of action was possible before rain, which had washed out the entire programme on Tuesday, returned to send the likes of Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Andy Roddick scurrying off court in anger and frustration.

They claimed that officials were putting profits ahead of player safety in a desperate ploy to make up forlosttime

"This is a Grand Slam tournament event with huge revenues, so maybe they should consider a roof in future," said Djokovic.

Of the other three Grand Slams, the Australian Open and Wimbledon both have courts with retractable roofs while the French Open will followsuitby2016.

Only the US Open has failed to build a roof with organisers claiming in that it would cost up to 200 million dollars to put a roof over the main Arthur Ashe Stadium which was built in 1997.