“He distracted me” Lorenzo Sonego slams Rafael Nadal’s bizarre decision to call him on the net between the match

“He distracted me” Lorenzo Sonego slams Rafael Nadal’s bizarre decision to call him on the net between the match

Rafael Nadal, Lorenzo Sonego

Rafael Nadal and Lorenzo Sonego faced each other in the third round of Wimbledon 2022. The Spaniard was in his best shape on the grass in this match. It was a clinical performance from Rafa who won his first straight match of the tournament, defeating Sonego 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to enter the fourth round of Wimbledon. The match went smoothly for Rafa except for a little muddle in the third set. He was up a break, but after he was broken back by Sonego, he called the Italian on the net.

The two were involved in some conversation which was revealed to be about the fact that Nadal was annoyed by Sonego’s extended grunting. Grunts are common in tennis but in this match, Sonego’s grunts extended beyond the ball passing from his side of the net, which was bothering Rafa as he was about to hit the ball. It was a very peculiar decision from Rafa to not go insist the umpire do something and take the matter into his own hands. This might have been quite odd and out of place for Sonego to handle as well.

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Also Read: “I have to say that I was wrong,” Rafael Nadal admits his mistake and apologizes to Lorenzo Sonego for wrongfully ‘lecturing’ him at the net

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Rafael Nadal apologized for calling Lorenzo Sonego to the net in the middle of the match.

Nadal Sonego involved is a little tussle
Nadal Sonego involved in a little tussle at the net.

Sonego talked about this incident in his post-match press conference. He said: “A player should not call his opponent on the net. You cannot do that at Wimbledon. Nadal should have just had a word with the umpire. He distracted me.” Even though Sonego might not have been able to change the course of the match had Nadal not intervened, it just goes on to show that Sonego’s late grunts were a bit too much of a distraction for Nadal to not address it.

Nadal later apologized for his behavior and said that he feels like he shouldn’t have done it in hindsight. It would have been much better if the situation was addressed to the referee and managed by him altogether. But Sonego’s late grunts have been called out many times and this direct confrontation should give me something to think about and improve on his game.

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