Rafael Nadal with his RM 35 watch (SCMP)
Rafael Nadal is one of the greatest tennis players of all time. The Spaniard has started this season with a bang, bagging his 21st Grand Slam at the Australian Open.
Nadal has been in red hot form and this is the best start he has had to a season in his entire career. He recently won the Mexican Open beating Cameron Norrie in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.
Rafael Nadal has voiced his opinion regarding the controversial suspended sentence handed down to Alexander Zverev.
The German World no.3 Zverev smashed his racquet against the umpire’s chair at the Mexican Open. Speaking ahead of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Nadal said “we need to be a positive example”.
Nadal revealed Zverev was his friend and practice partner. He said he wouldn’t feel too pleased to see the German Olympic Champion receive a sterner sanction but as a fan of tennis, he would have to vote in favor of tougher punishments being imposed.
Zverev was disqualified from the tournament after he repeatedly committed the unpardonable offense of hitting his racquet against the umpire’s chair. He would also abuse the umpire verbally.
Earlier in the week, the 24-year-old was handed a suspension of eight weeks and a $25,000 fine for the infamous incident.
“It’s so difficult to talk in my position because from one point of view, I have a good relationship with Sascha (Zverev) — I like him and I practice with him very often,” Nadal said.
Nadal hopes to see Zverez come back stronger. He also appreciated the fact that the German acknowledged that he did wrong.
“I wish him all the very best and he knows that he was wrong, honestly, and he recognized that very early. So that’s a positive thing on his side, in my opinion.”
Nadal explained if players are not punished for such actions, they will feel that they are bigger than the game.
“On the other hand … if we’re not able to control and create a rule or a way to penalize this type of attitude a little bit in a stronger way, then we as players, we feel stronger and stronger all the time. We need to be a positive example, especially for the kids watching us.”
Nadal said one side of him doesn’t want a more severe punishment for Zverez as he shares a good relationship with him. The other side, however, wants the punishment to safeguard the sport.
“So from one side, I don’t want a penalization for Sascha because I like him and I have a very good relationship with him. On the other hand … I’d like to see something harder for this kind of attitude, not only him, I mean in general terms because this protects the sport and protects the referees.”
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