‘I Heard Stefanos Takes a Very Long Time’: Rafael Nadal Responds to Denis Shapovalov’s Comments at Australian Open 2022

Rafael Nadal is through to his 7th Australian Open semi-final. He beat Canadian star Denis Shapovalov in 5 sets to reach the semis of the year-opening Slam. Both the lefties displayed some high-quality tennis, their encounter lasting 4 hours and 8 minutes. 

However, it wasn’t only the game that was talked about; Shapovalov’s comments during the game took the spotlight as well. The 22-year-old Canadian clashed with the chair umpire twice; he blamed the umpire for being partial in Nadal’s favor and even suggested they were all “corrupt.” 

Responding to this, Rafael explained himself gracefully and hilariously, bringing up Stefanos Tsitsipas, who’s infamous for taking long bathroom breaks. 

Rafa’s response to the allegations

The umpire, Carlos Bernades, has a chequered history with Rafa as well. In 2015, Bernades and Nadal clashed during one of his matches, but that relationship seems to have mended with the 2009 champion insisting that he has “huge respect for Carlos.”

When Rafa was told about Shapovalov’s post-match comments, he responded to the allegations saying, “I really believe that on the court you don’t deserve better treatment than the others. And I really don’t want it and I don’t feel I have it.”

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Quoting one of last year’s instances, Rafa said, “When I went to the bathroom at the end of the second set, as I don’t know if you know, guys, we have a new rule for this year, normally I think was Stefanos – I was not on the tour but that’s what I heard that Stefanos take a very long time last year a couple of times.”

Tsitsipas was propelled to the spotlight after his first round encounter at the US Open 2021 against Andy Murray. Murray alleged, after the match, that the Greek star took a long bathroom break to disrupt his momentum.

Nadal explained the new rule saying, “So the new rule is when we go to the toilet, they call – we have just a couple of minutes to stay in the toilet.”

Rafael Nadal at Australian Open 2022

Rafael Nadal overcame Shapovalov’s scare to reach the semi-finals of the opening slam of the year. Even though the Spaniard hit 11 double faults in the match, he compensated for these faults by hitting 41 winners and saving 6 break points against the 22-year-old Denis. The Spaniard took 4 hours to finally get the better of Shapovalov, winning 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3.

The 2009 Australian Open champion looks in good touch as he hopes to win his 21st Grand Slam title and second title Down Under. 

Watch this story- “You Guys Are All Corrupt”: Denis Shapovalov Fires at Rafael Nadal and Umpire During Australian Open 2022

Nadal has dropped just 3 sets in the last 5 matches to reach his 7th semi-final at Melbourne Park. He will now face the winner of Monfils vs Berrettini for a spot in the final.