“Classless man,” Rafael Nadal disagrees with the umpire call, shows her a finger during men’s doubles match at Paris Olympics, fans react
Rafael Nadal wasn't a happy man during his men's doubles match at the Paris Olympics.
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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.
Rajeev Ram winner on triple break point nicks the line in the chair umpire’s opinion. Nadal and Alcaraz doing forensics. Call doesn’t change. American team on verge of winning this pic.twitter.com/Pnuoqk0Lqa
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) July 31, 2024
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.
Tennis fans blast Rafael Nadal for his antics during men’s doubles match at the Paris Olympics
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.
In case you missed it:
- Iga Swiatek survives a three-set thriller against Danielle Collins to enter the semi-final at the Paris Olympics
- “They were not born female” Martina Navratilova calls out IOC yet again on being ‘okay’ with male players participating in Women’s categories
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Fahad Hamid
(629 Articles Published)