Rafael Nadal wasn’t a happy man during his men’s doubles match at the Paris Olympics.
Rafael Nadal disagreeing with the umpire (via IMAGO)
22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has potentially played his last match at Roland Garros after a 6-2, 6-4 loss in men’s doubles with Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Olympics. The Spanish duo, referred to as ‘Nadalcaraz,’ lost against Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram from the USA.
However, like many of the matches at the Paris Olympics, this match also had its controversial episodes. The main incident came in the middle of the second set.
In the seventh game of the second set, Ram and Krajicek reached a triple break point after Ram hit a winner down the line. However, Nadal had a massive disagreement with the call and showed his moving finger, showing discontent with the chair umpire.
Despite the protest, the point was awarded to the Americans, who broke in that pivotal game and saved three break points while serving for the match. Nadal’s Paris Olympics is over, whereas Alcaraz will turn his attention to the men’s singles field.
As soon as the controversy happened, the tennis fans jumped on X and criticized Rafael Nadal for his actions against the chair umpire. Some tennis fans labelled the left-hander as ‘classless’.
Check out some reactions here:
The call for new technology on clay courts is more needed today than ever before. Controversies regarding calls have been evident since April when the clay court season officially began.
Daniil Medvedev had a massive disagreement with the chair umpire at Monte Carlo, feeling that there was no consistency in the calls. At the Paris Olympics, tennis fans witnessed the Coco Gauff episode during her loss against Donna Vekic. The American had a long argument with the chair umpire during the second set and was reduced to tears during the confrontation.
Now, Nadal’s incident adds another chapter to this controversial story. Regardless of what happens, tennis authorities need to make a decision on technology for clay court events.