2 days Ago By Patrick Austen-Hardy
As tennis legend Rafael Nadal gears up for retirement, fans may recall his indirect verbal tussle with another titan of the sport - John McEnroe . The 38-year-old Spaniard, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, is set to hang up his racket following Spain's Davis Cup campaign. Despite being a respected figure in the sport, McEnroe once found himself in a tense exchange with Nadal over an insinuation that the latter consistently violated the sport's shot clock rule, which allows players 25 seconds between points to serve.
McEnroe, while commentating, suggested that Nadal often took 30 seconds to serve and got away with it due to his greatness. Upon hearing these remarks, a visibly annoyed Nadal retorted: "I am following the rules. If I am having more than 25 seconds I receive a warning every single time.
If not, check the clock. I don't think I'm receiving different treatment at all. I don't understand why John can say that on the TV, but I am going to have a chat with him later.
" Nick Kyrgios shares Novak Djokovic's role in inspiring injury comeback Jannik Sinner pays heartfelt gesture after beating Taylor Fritz to claim $5m prize An irritated McEnroe lashed out, saying: "Why did they throw me under the bus? We haven't had that talk (with Nadal) but let me just add that...
he didn't let me finish, whoever the dumb journalist was. Rafa Nadal is entitled to do whatever the hell he wants, that's part of why you get as good as [Nadal is], you've got to deal with that. "And it's not up to him.
We all know that he's been doing this for the past 10 to 15 years. There's nothing new to that. It's not his call - it's the umpires.
" The misunderstanding between McEnroe and Nadal seemingly resolved, McEnroe expressed his opinion that Novak Djokovic edges out Nadal on grass courts, despite acknowledging Nadal's unmatched prowess on clay, Djokovic's dominance on hard courts, and Roger Federer's grass court capabilities. McEnroe went on to say: "At the moment for me, Nadal is the greatest player that has ever lived on clay. Novak would be the same on hard courts.
Roger on grass, even though Djokovic has beaten Roger a few times at Wimbledon." Finally, paying homage to Djokovic's mental fortitude, McEnroe remarked: "Djokovic rises to the occasion. He needs to get inspired or have someone write him off.
Some type of chance to break an amazing record. No one is writing Djokovic off. "Sometimes his attitude on the court fuels him.
You'd rather be respected than loved. You'd rather have both if possible, but he's handled it well. He has been mature about it and he's been pretty successful turning lemons into lemonade.
"Even when people were getting on him, for calling on the trainer for example, it's almost like people are looking for an excuse to get on him. I can relate to that. I deserved it more than he did.
It's not easy to take that to use it and fuel you. To me, he's better than anyone at that to ever play the game.".
