Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 25, 2022 Spain’s Rafael Nadal speaks to Canada’s Denis Shapovalov during the quarter final match REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 25, 2022 Spain’s Rafael Nadal speaks to Canada’s Denis Shapovalov during the quarter final match REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Denis Shapovalov is battling his heart out at the Australian Open 2022. The 22-year-old is into the quarterfinals of the opening Grand Slam of the season and his match with Rafael Nadal is currently underway. However, he was involved in a heated moment in the match after losing the first set 6-3.
Further, he made his displeasure felt to the chair umpire Carlos Bernardes about the time that Rafa was taking.
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Why is Denis Shapovalov angry with Rafael Nadal?
The Canadian felt that the 20-time Grand Slam champion was slowing him down. Subsequently, Shapovalov was not happy with this and approached the chair umpire Carlos Bernardes. The 22-year-old said, “He just takes so long, I was ready to serve.” Further, he told the umpire to give Nadal some warning.
Shapovalov not happy with how much Nadal is slowing him down. "He just takes so long, I was ready to serve"
Tells Bernardes to give Nadal some warning.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 25, 2022
Moreover, the Canadian added, “You guys are all corrupt.” Shapovalov said this to chair umpire Carlos Bernardes after complaining that Nadal should’ve gotten a time violation.
“You guys are all corrupt,” Denis Shapovalov says to umpire Carlos Bernardes after complaining that Nadal should’ve gotten a time violation.#AusOpen
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 25, 2022
However, the umpire struck back at the Canadian and said, “Why you look at me? There are eight seconds to play, what do you want?”
"Why you look at me? There are eight seconds to play, what do you want?" – Bernardes, Carlos
The Umpire Strikes Back#AusOpen
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) January 25, 2022
The battle today will be the 5th time the two will be facing each other. Rafael Nadal has won on three previous occasions, while Shapovalov managed to defeat the 20-time Grand Slam champion once, excluding a walkover in 2019.
Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 25, 2022 Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action during his quarter final match against Canada’s Denis Shapovalov REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
In their match today at the Rod Laver Arena which is currently underway, the Spaniard took the first set 6-3. The Canadian couldn’t hold on to the crucial moments in the match.
Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 25, 2022 Canada’s Denis Shapovalov reacts during his quarter final match against Spain’s Rafael Nadal REUTERS/Loren Elliott
He was broken in the fourth game of the first set, which proved to be decisive. Moreover, Shapovalov managed to get only 50% of his first serves right in the first set as he eventually lost steam.
Is there a way back for the Canadian or will the Spaniard run away with the tie? Let us know what you think in the comments.
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