‘Referee Is Probably Scared of Him’- When Former World No 4 Tomas Berdych Accused Rafael Nadal of Regulating Matches and Overpowering Authorities

Rafael Nadal, the 22 times Grand Slam champion, is famous for his dedication and focus. He is always ready to travel that extra mile, which makes a difference. Fans love Nadal’s passion and over the years he has gained a huge crowd that will support him no matter what.

However, the support he garners doesn’t make him immune to mistakes. Of course, the Spaniard displays gentleman-like behavior and follows the rule. But there have been times in which his action depicted otherwise. At least to his opponents. Here’s an example of the same.

Berdych accused Rafael Nadal of controlling the match 

In the year 2010, during the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals, Tomas Berdych accused him of having too much power. “It just shows how the referee is probably scared of him and just let him talk with him too long,” he said after Nadal halted the game over a Hawkeye review against him. 

The incident took place during the 12th game of the first set when Berdych challenged an overrule at 15-15 on Nadal’s serve. As a result of his challenge, a Hawkeye review was implemented, and it confirmed his backhand had clipped the baseline. Thus rewarding the Czech professional’s a crucial point. 

However, the former World No 1 had his own argument. He claimed that he stopped playing the instant umpire wrongly called Berdych’s backhand out. Nadal approached the Brazilian chair umpire Carlos Bernardes and, after having a heated debate with him, he went behind the umpire’s chair to discuss the matter with the tournament supervisor, wasting more time. “I was waiting while he was talking for like three minutes,” Berdych confessed.

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“He was like sitting there and he’s not going to play, stuff like that. It’s not the mistake of Rafa. It’s the mistake of the referee. He just needed to show him that it’s not like he can do whatever he wants on the court,” he added. Nadal, who obviously was upset and furious, took out his anger on the former World No 4 and outclassed him in straight sets of 7-6, 6-1. 

Another ATP Finals incident related to Nadal

In the year 2013, the ATP Finals debutant Stan Wawrinka accused Nadal of receiving illegal coaching. He pointed out that during points the 36-year-old’s uncle/coach Toni Nadal passed him tips and no one seemed to care.

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The three times Grand Slam champion who eventually lost the match in straight sets of 7-6 7-6 was upset about how the chair umpire handled the entire issue. He also accused the authorities of treating the matter lightly because it was against Rafael Nadal.