Madrid Open: Dejected Rafael Nadal Lashed out at Tomas Berdych Once for Silencing Home-Town Hecklers in the Stadium

Rafael Nadal has always been a sight to witness in the Madrid Open. Most of his matches end with him being cordial with his opponents, but not always. Tomas Berdych was a big rival of Rafa, which saw a controversial moment in the Spanish Masters. Berdych’s gesture after one of their matches left the 22-time grand slam champion with bad taste, and he chastised him during the handshake.

Before 2009, the Madrid Open was an indoor hardcourt tournament played before the ATP Finals. It was replaced by the Paris Masters, which saw the Madrid Masters returning in the clay swing with a new venue. Most don’t remember the tournament being on hardcourt, but Rafa’s controversial moment with Berdych is here to remind us. 

They have faced each other 24 times on tour, with the 2006 Madrid Open being their fourth clash and Berdych’s third victory over Rafa. Berdych served at match-point, and Rafa hit it out. After his win, Berdych gestured for the crowd to be silent, and loud whistling followed his reaction. Paying no heed to it, he went up to the net to shake hands with Rafa, who told him, “You are very bad. Very bad.“

Berdych shows shock at the statement and approaches Nadal to have a conversation but then lets it be. After sitting on his bench, he mocked the crowd a bit more. Nadal went home with the 6-3, 7-6 loss but took his revenge in Madrid in 2014 and 2015. The two were 20-4 in head-to-head matches, with Rafa having 20 victories. 

Berdych likely has nightmares after being defeated by Rafa 20 times over the years. Despite the trauma, he found a form of revenge five years after he retired.

How Tomas Berdych beat Rafael Nadal without playing

After retiring from the sport, Tomas Berdych became a coach and joined the Jiri Lehecka team. The 22-year-old has shown a steady rise over the years and found himself in the quarterfinal of his first clay Masters, which pit him against the five-time champion, Rafael Nadal. Anyone would shake on the knees when facing him, but Lehecka stood firm and faced down Rafa to win the match 7-5, 6-1.

With Berdych as his guide, the Croatian player managed to take the win from the Spaniard, which was followed by a farewell ceremony for Nadal. Lehecka was elated after the win, and Berdych likely found some form of satisfaction at watching Nadal being defeated with his strategy. 

Although out from Madrid, Rafa will probably show up in some upcoming tournaments. If he meets Lehecka, Berdych has another chance to hand him defeat indirectly, or Nadal has the chance to traumatize the former Czechia once again.