Rafael Nadal Calls Out John McEnroe For Comments About Slow Play, Preferential Treatment

Rafael Nadal moves at his own pace on the tennis court between points. The Spaniard has rituals he abides by both before and during matches, including his pre-serve picking of a wedgie routine that is noticeable by all. Given his attention to every little detail

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Not only did Nadal blame sweat for playing a role in his slow pace, but also towels. Ballboys aren't handing towels directly to players due to tennis officials and organizers ongoing fear of COVID. This leaves Nadal and other players to fetch their own towels, which slows things down. “The problem for players like me, who are sweating that much, when you go to pick up a towel you are going to be in trouble with the time,” Nadal said. “I don’t think I have a different treatment for the umpires.”

McEnroe's Comments About Nadal's Slow Play

While it's unclear if McEnroe made a comment about Nadal's pace of play during his first-round win, he has in the past, which is where the media's question earlier this week may have come from. “If you are going to do it, do it, otherwise don’t bother. It is like humoring everyone,” McEnroe said during Nadal’s run to his 14th French Open title this year. “It’s a joke! He takes a look at the clock again. He’s edging it, isn’t he? Shouldn’t they have it at 15 seconds on the second serve? 10? Something?” Nadal later went on to say that he doesn't think it's right that McEnroe can say those sorts of things on television and he'll be looking for him at the U.S. Open. “If I am having more than 25 seconds I receive a warning every single time. Check the clock…. I don’t understand why John can say that on the TV, but I am going to have a chat with him later,” Nadal said.