Tennis champion Rafael Nadal fumed at an accusation levelled by one of the sport’s icons, John McEnroe, during his US Open opening round.
Nadal beat Australian youngster Rinky Hijikata in an entertaining four-set clash on Arthur Ashe Stadium to progress.
But during the broadcast of the match McEnroe, in commentary for the tournament’s host broadcaster in America, ESPN, suggested the Spaniard gets preferential treatment from the tour umpires.
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McEnroe believes the 22-time grand slam winner is offered more leniency in regard to time violations between points.
Nadal was unaware of the comment until it was put to him by a journalist at his post-match press conference.
“I think it’s a joke,” Nadal fired up.
“I went through a lot of warnings in my tennis career. Never for breaking the racquet… but yes for the time clock.
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“I have a problem, that I am sweating a lot, and when you are playing a game during these very humid conditions, we have the biggest problem today – we don’t have the ballboys bringing the towel to you, so you have to go to the farthest place on the court.
“For players like me, I am sweating that much, you know when you go to pick up the towel you’re going to be in trouble with the time, so I’m not going very often.
“I don’t think I have different treatment from the umpires at all.”
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Since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out two years ago, no one is allowed to touch a tennis player’s towel during a match except the player themselves.
In the past the ballkids have had the towel on hand whenever the player asked for it, but now it sits in a designated bucket.
The same journalist then asked Nadal if he was suggesting he should be allowed more time between points simply because he sweats a lot.
“I never said that. I am following the rules, and if I am having more than 25 seconds I receive a warning… but if not, check the clock,” Nadal said.
“I don’t think I am receiving different treatment at all. I don’t understand why John can say that on the TV.
“I’m going to have a chat to him later.”
The suggestion that Nadal takes a long time between points is nothing new.
The legendary Spaniard is famously the most quirky and fidgety player on tour, and has become loved for it.
Australian tennis great Todd Woodbridge agrees with McEnroe in part.
“Occasionally I think (Nadal) gets some leniency, not in terms of what happened here,” Woodbridge told Nine’s US Open coverage.
“I am all for him getting extra treatment in these types of conditions, because he gets absolutely saturated, and if the balls get wet that’s no good for anybody.”
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