US Open 2022: Rafael Nadal shoots down accusations of preferential procedure: 'I assume it is a joke'

Straight off his initial round victory at the U.S. Open up on Tuesday night time, Rafael Nadal shut down accusations — most notably produced by tennis legend John McEnroe — that he gets preferential treatment from umpires, precisely concerning the shot clock rule. 

Nadal defeated Australian Rinky Hijkata, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3, at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday night and in the course of his post match presser, 1 reporter questioned him about his legacy and if he believed preceding remarks produced about his use of the clock among serves, some thing McEnroe has commented on in the earlier, would affect that.  

Rafael Nadal of Spain during working day 2 of the US Open 2022, 4th Grand Slam function of the time at the USTA Billie Jean King Countrywide Tennis Centre on August 30, 2022 in Queens, New York Town.  (Jean Catuffe/Getty Photographs)

"I imagine it is a joke, you know," Nadal mentioned with a chortle. "I went by a great deal of warnings by way of my tennis career. Never for breaking a racket, never for undertaking a mess on court docket but certainly for the time clock. You know, I have a dilemma that I am sweating a whole lot."

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"When you are actively playing in the course of these really humid situations, we have the most important challenge now — that is we don’t have the ball boys bringing the towels to you for the previous few of years. So you have to go to the farthest position of the court docket to acquire the towel." 

A fall of sweat falls down from Rafael Nadal of Spain as he prepares to serve against Rinky Hijikata of Australia in their Men's Singles First Spherical match in the course of the 2022 U.S. Open up Tennis Event at the USTA Billie Jean King Countrywide Tennis Heart on Aug. 30, 2022. (Eduardo MunozAlvarez/VIEWpress)

He ongoing: "So the challenge for gamers like me, who are perspiring that substantially, you know that when you go to pick up a towel you are going to be in problems with the time," Nadal mentioned. "I do not think I have a unique treatment method for the umpires at all."

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The reporter attempted to adhere to up his issue but was interrupted by the moderator. Nadal, on the other hand, intervened and mentioned he was "delighted to have the conversation." 

"I never ever explained that," Nadal laughed when asked if there must be a various rule for him for the reason that of his perspiring challenge. "I am next the guidelines. If I am obtaining a lot more than 25 seconds I obtain a warning each and every solitary time. If not, check out the clock. … I don’t think I am receiving distinct remedy at all."

Rafael Nadal of Spain waits for the duration of a changeover versus Rinky Hijikata of Australia in their Men's Singles Very first Spherical match on Working day Two of the 2022 US Open up at USTA Billie Jean King Nationwide Tennis Centre on Aug. 30, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York Town.  (Sarah Stier/Getty Photographs)

"I don’t recognize why John can say that on the Tv, but I am going to have a chat with him afterwards."

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McEnroe most a short while ago made responses at the French Open. 

"If you are likely to do it, do it, if not do not bother. It is like humoring anyone," he claimed, through the New York Write-up. "It is a joke! He takes a glimpse at the clock all over again … one. He’s edging it, is not he? Shouldn’t they have it at 15 seconds on the second provide? 10? A thing?"

He also instructed Insider in April: "Rafa has received his ritual that normally takes 30 seconds each time he plays a point."

"That is 1 of the incentives of getting the very best — you get away with more, as evidenced by what I did at times on the court and what he does, in a fully classier way, while. Of course, he is not out there screaming at people or everything."