Melbourne – Smiling but resolute, Rafael Nadal fended off accusations of a top star’s bonus after reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
With a show of strength over five sets and more than four hours despite stomach problems, the Spanish tennis veteran had averted the threat of elimination against Alexander Zverev’s vanquisher. Thanks to the 6:3, 6:4, 4:6, 3:6, 6:3 against the Canadian Denis Shapovalov, the 35-year-old came one step closer to the Grand Slam record. He was not at all put off by Shapovalov’s rant that Nadal was getting preferential treatment from the umpire in Melbourne on Tuesday.
“I never felt I had advantages on the court and I really think he’s wrong,” Nadal said, “He’s young. We all make mistakes in our career. I made a lot of mistakes when I was younger.” He said Shapovalov would probably understand later that he had not been right today.
Shapovalov scolds
When, after the first set, Nadal took a little too much time, in his opinion, before emerging on the baseline ready to return, Shapovalov had raged off. “You’re all corrupt,” the 22-year-old scolded Brazilian umpire Carlos Bernardes when Nadal did not receive what he saw as a necessary warning for a timeout.
“I think in that moment Denis was pissed because the umpire called ‘time’ and I took about 30 extra seconds to change my clothes,” Nadal said. “I think in that moment it’s fair that Carlos gave me the time.” Shapovalov, with some distance, took back the term corrupt. “It’s unfair how Rafa gets away with it,” he said. The umpiring behaviour, he said, was a “big joke.” Asked if he thought Nadal was getting preferential treatment, the Canadian replied, “100 per cent.” Time and again, he said, Nadal had dragged his feet.
Stomach problems for Nadal
The tension over five sets that this match was to get had not been foreseeable for a long time. Against the Wimbledon semi-finalist, Nadal did much better than Zverev in his round of 16 defeat with his presence and consistency. The 2009 Melbourne winner was leading 2:0 sets, but then he staggered. In the Melbourne heat, stomach problems afflicted him and he lost his composure. “I was completely destroyed. Tough day. Very warm,” Nadal explained.
The question of his physical condition was a debated topic before the tournament began. Nevertheless, Nadal had marched safely through the early rounds for the most part. His problems this Tuesday, however, had nothing to do with the foot injury that had put him out of action for months at the end of last season. The pills for his stomach in the fourth set had only helped to a limited extent, Nadal explained in the winner’s interview.
When it looked as if the 13 years younger Shapovalov had the upper hand, Nadal was quickly ahead in the decisive set, also thanks to slight errors by his opponent. For several minutes Nadal had disappeared from the arena before the fifth section. “You feel like you’re not just playing against the player, you’re playing against the umpire,” Shapovalov scolded.
Berrettini in the semi-finals
When the last ball was played, the Canadian destroyed his racket. Nadal nodded, stretched his arms to the sky, put his head back. Now, he said, he could make tennis history. “Two months ago we didn’t know if I would come back to the tour. For me, it’s a gift to be able to play tennis again.”
Thirteen years after his only Melbourne triumph to date, only two wins separate Nadal from the next trophy. Instead of playing the relegated Serbian record champion Novak Djokovic, the world number five will face Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini in the semi-finals on Friday. Also in five sets, the now first Italian men’s semi-finalist from Melbourne downed Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, 6-2.
Should Nadal actually triumph on Sunday, he would secure the sole record with his 21st title at a Grand Slam tournament. The fact that Djokovic and his Swiss rival Roger Federer (both 20 wins) are absent for very different reasons has opened the door wide for him.
On Thursday, Ashleigh Barty will be aiming to reach the Melbourne final for the first time. She outclassed American Jessica Pegula, seeded 21st, 6-2, 6-0 in the quarter-finals. Barty also wants to write a very special chapter of success and become the first Australian to win the Australian Open since Chris O’Neil in 1978. In the semi-finals, Barty will face former US Open finalist Madison Keys of the USA, who defeated Czech French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 6-2.
