‘We have to penalize this type of attitude in a stronger way,’ Rafael Nadal makes a bold statement about Alexander Zverev’s Acapulco breakdown
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Alexander Zverev and Rafael Nadal
21-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal has had a dream start to his 2022 season. Nadal, who was unsure about his participation in the Australian leg due to a foot injury, was undefeated in Melbourne and won his record-breaking 21st major title. He then continued his unbeaten streak at Acapulco by winning the Mexican Open for the 4th title.
He is currently riding on a 15-match winning streak and will look to add 6 more matches to it at Indian Wells this week. The Spaniard is going in as the 4th seed in the tournament and given his current form, he will be one of the favorites to win the title in the Californian heat.
In the pre-tournament press conference, Nadal spoke about Alexander Zverev’s breakdown in Acapulco. After losing his doubles match, a furious Zverev unhappy with the umpire’s calls violently smashed his racket on the umpire’s chair multiple times. As a result, he was thrown out of the tournament. The German later apologized for his actions and vowed that such an incident will never be repeated.
Nadal shared two perspectives regarding the story. He said that he has a good relationship with Zverev and it is good that he has recognized and accepted his mistake very early.
“It’s so difficult to talk in my position because from one point of view, I have a good relationship with Sascha (Zverev)- I like him and I practice with him very often,” Nadal said. “I wish him all the very best and he knows that he was wrong, honestly, and he recognized that very early. So that’s a positive thing on his side, in my opinion.”
From a different perspective, Nadal said that it is important for tennis bodies to punish these kinds of actions since it’ll set a positive example for all kids watching the sport.
“On the other hand … if we’re not able to control and create a rule or a way to penalize this type of attitude a little bit in a stronger way, then we as players, we feel stronger and stronger all the time. We need to be a positive example, especially for the kids watching us,” he said.
Nadal further added, “So from one side, I don’t want a penalization for Sascha because I like him and I have a very good relationship with him. On the other hand … I’d like to see something harder for this kind of attitude, not only him, I mean in general terms because this protects the sport and protects the referees.”
‘I have been brave enough to play with the right determination’: Nadal
The 2022 season has been nothing but magical for Nadal so far. He not only won his 21st major title but also recorded a best-ever start to the season. Speaking about his 15-match winning streak, Nadal said that it was unexpected for him to be in this position. He also spoke about his mindset coming into Indian Wells.
“It was an unexpected moment for me to be in this position,” Nadal said. “I’m enjoying it every day and trying to stay with the right attitude to enjoy the fact that I’m playing well and enjoying matches and winning titles. I have been able to find a way to adapt my game to what I need to be competitive – some days being more aggressive, some days being more tactical, more defensive. Then I have been brave enough to play with the right determination in the moments that I needed.”
Nadal will open his Indian Wells campaign in the second round against either Sebastian Korda or Thanasi Kokkinakis.
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Lakshya Chopra
(2595 Articles Published)