Nadal: 'I don't get special treatment'

 Nadal: 'I don't get special treatment'

The Spaniard responded to Denis Shapovalov's criticism when he was accused of receiving a lot of favors from the referee.

Rafael Nadal won the Australian Open quarter-finals, lasting five sets against Denis Shapovalov on January 25. In the second set, Shapovalov said that the "King of Clay" took too long to serve and that the referee was unfair in assessing the situation.

According to the 22-year-old Canadian tennis player, the referee favored Nadal because of his name. The 20 Grand Slam winner extended serve time, breaks between games and changed clothes, much to Shapovalov's frustration.

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Shapovalov was exasperated on the field. Photo: First Sportz.

In his post-match press conference, Shapovalov reiterated his disappointment and said Nadal was given special treatment on the court. The Spaniard replied: "I don't feel like I've been treated any special and believe he was wrong in that case."

"I know I took extra time off at the end of the first set because I had to change clothes. In that case, the referee will give more time, especially in very wet conditions. I think Denis was very angry at that time. . I understand he just lost the first set and in a way he wants to continue playing quickly," Nadal explained.

Early in the second set, Shapovalov approached referee Carlos Bernardes to complain about Nadal taking too long to serve. However, the referee asked him back: "Why are you looking at me. There are still 8 seconds for Nadal to serve. What do you want". After that, the world No. 14 player replied: "You are all perverts".

In his post-match press conference, Shapovalov said he respects Nadal but has limits. He had to fight the referee, instead of just Nadal on the court. Shapovalov admitted it was wrong to call Nadal and the referee "perverts", but it is not fair that the Spaniard has always had certain preferences.