Nadal insists he DOESN'T receive 'different treatment' from umpires

Rafael Nadal hits back at John McEnroe and insists he DOESN’T receive ‘different treatment’ from umpires… after US legend said the Spaniard should be ‘penalised’ for repeatedly exceeding the 25-second shot clock

  • John McEnroe called for Rafael Nadal to be penalised for shot-clock violations 
  • The rule was introduced in 2018 to speed the game up between players’ serves
  • US legend was left fuming during Nadal’s win against Novak Djokovic in May 
  • But Spaniard insists he does not understand why McEnroe said what he did

Rafael Nadal has fired back at suggestions he receives preferential treatment from umpires after John McEnroe criticised them for not penalising the Spaniard for the time he takes between serves.

At the French Open this year, the US tennis legend said umpires must crack down on Nadal if he repeatedly exceeds the 25-second shot clock.

The rule was introduced in 2018 to speed the game up and to give players a timeframe within which they are expected to serve.

Rafael Nadal has fired back at suggestions he receives preferential treatment from umpires

John McEnroe criticised them for not penalising the Spaniard for the time he takes between serves

But speaking after beating Australia’s Rinky Hijikata in the first round of the US Open on Tuesday, Nadal hit back and said he sweats more than most players and rejected claims he receives ‘different treatment’ from officials. 

Asked if he thinks his tennis legacy will be impacted by the criticism, Nadal said: ‘Yeah, I think it’s a joke.

‘I went through a lot of warnings through my tennis career. Never for breaking a racquet. Never for doing a mess on court. But yes for the time clock.

‘I have a problem that I am sweating a lot. When you are playing during these very humid conditions…the problem for players like me that are sweating that much, you know when you go to pick up a towel, you are going to be in trouble with the time.

Nadal received a time violation while serving during his win against Novak Djokovic in May

‘I don’t think I have different treatment from the umpires.’

When asked if an exception to the rule should be made for him because of how much sweat he produces, Nadal added: ‘I never said that.

‘I don’t think I’m receiving different treatment at all. I don’t understand why John can say that on TV.

‘But I am going to have a chat with him later,’ Nadal added with a smile.

McEnroe’s criticism came during Nadal’s quarter-final victory against Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros in May.

Nadal hit back and said he sweats more than most players and does not get different treatment

The Spaniard received a time violation while serving during the second set of his 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6 (4) against the Serb, leaving McEnroe furious on commentary for Eurosport.

‘He should be penalised,’ McEnroe said.

‘If you are going to do it, do it, otherwise don’t bother. It is like humouring everyone.

‘It’s a joke! He takes a look at the clock again… one. He’s edging it, isn’t he? Shouldn’t they have it at 15 seconds on the second serve? 10? Something?

‘Or don’t bother. It’s like, you can take as much time as you want on the second serve. How long is this game? 12 minutes? Jeez.’

Nadal said he would talk to the US tennis legend about the comments he made in Paris




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