Rafael Nadal lets rip at umpire over his towel at Australian Open - 'With you it's always the same!'
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Updated 18/01/2023 at 09:15 GMT
Don't rush Rafael Nadal or deny him his towel time: that is the lesson he was trying to teach umpire Marijana Veljovic. The reigning champion was left incredibly frustrated during his second-round match at the Australian Open on Wednesday as he ranted at Veljovic after having his serve broken for a second time early on against Mackenzie McDonald. He needed his towel and he needed it badly.
'You don't take the towel!' - Nadal fumes at umpire over his towel
Rafael Nadal was left absolutely fuming after feeling as though he did not have time to get his towel in between points during his second-round match with American Mackenzie McDonald at the Australian Open on Wednesday.
The top seed and reigning champion was incensed as he felt that umpire Marijana Veljovic was starting the timer too early before each of his serves as he desperately attempted to use his towel to wipe away sweat.
The scoreline also most likely had something to do with Nadal's foul mood as he trailed 4-1 in the opening set, with McDonald having broken his serve on two occasions early on in the match.
"Every match, at least I can move for the towel," Nadal ranted at Veljovic. "With you, I cannot.
"Every time I am in a rush, even when serving normal, without the towel, I see the clock ... five, four, with you it's always the same. It's okay.
"For you, it doesn't matter, I cannot take the towel each time, the towel is there [gestures] at the back of the court.
"You don't know, you try to understand, but you don't take the towel."
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Nadal did not receive a warning for his outburst as Veljovic simply sat in her chair and listened to his rant, unmoved.
"It is something he has touched on," explained Eurosport commentator Pete Odgers. "It is a running debate with Rafael Nadal: does he get too much time between points?
"I do not think he is overly happy with Marijana Veljovic who, as he was saying there, he felt was starting the timer too soon compared to others.
"Of course, it is up to the umpire's discretion as to when they start the timer. Nadal is saying he has got too far to go to collect the towel."
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McDonald made a blistering start to the match as he broke the Spaniard in two successive return games to establish a commanding lead in the opening set before also taking the second as Nadal clearly struggled even before sustaining his latest injury.
After he returned to the court and played out the second set, the 36-year-old continued and fought on valiantly, but ultimately was not fit enough to force a fourth set. The world No. 65 came through to win the match in straight sets, 6-4 6-4 7-5.
McDonald will play either Dalibor Svrcina or Yoshihito Nishioka in the third round.
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