Madrid Open: Electronic Line-Calling Brings Out the Worst in Rafael Nadal as He Creates Stir Twice in One Week

Coming into the Madrid Open after being out of the court for weeks, Rafael Nadal made his way into the round of 16 of the tournament. While his form did see a steep incline, he certainly did not have the best of times in Madrid. Reason? The same old line calls that can spoil a player’s fun at any event. Having played in his round of 16 match against the Czech star Jiri Lehecka, the Spanish star lost his cool midway through a crucial point and vented out his frustration on the chair umpire.

It all happened after a crucial serve from Lehecka right at the start of the second set seemed to have bounced out of the line. While the review showed that it was just touching the line, Nadal stepped up to show the chair umpire that it was out of the line. However, the decision did not go Nadal’s way and he was fired up with this. Nadal eventually then went on to lose the game 5-7, 4-6.

Pointing his fingers towards the chair umpire, he showed that it was this out. While the umpire did not agree with what he said, he said that that is why he does not like machines as they can also make errors sometimes. “It’s like this out. That’s the problem with the machine, this is why it gets so frustrating,” said Nadal midway during the match.

Thus, Rafael Nadal, who clearly had some time struggling to find his rhythm in the match against the Czech star did not hold his words back while making his thoughts clear. However, this is not the first time that anything of this sort has happened with Nadal. During his R64 match with Australian sensation Alex de Minaur, something similar happened which prompted a furious response from Rafa.

Rafael Nadal slams was involved in a heated debate against the chair umpire during his match against Alex de Minaur

Rafael Nadal was looking to take his revenge on Alex de Minaur who stunned him earlier in Barcelona Open. Nadal started on the right track and led 2-0. However, soon after, he found himself in an uncomfortable spot as he found himself trailing 15-30. But, this was not just it yet. A controversial call soon changed Nadal’s tempo as he found himself at the center of debate with the chair umpire.

Apparently, Nadal stopped midway during an ongoing rally as he felt like the ball had gone out of play. However, the referee waited for his call which he felt Nadal failed to do. Thus, the point eventually landed in Demon’s favor. Completely furious at this series of events, Nadal went to the chair umpire to ask, “I just stopped. I have to say challenge? Is that new? If I stop, I mark that ball that doesn’t mean I want to keep playing?” he said.

However, the umpire did not seem too interested in Nadal’s action while suggesting that he must have called for a challenge. “Rafael, what you need to do is challenge quickly. I saw you stopping but I didn’t see any challenge.”  Thus, Rafael Nadal is not having a good time when it comes to the electronic line calling at the Madrid Open. What are your thoughts on this? Do let us know in the comments below!