'Beyond a joke': Rival's girlfriend blows up at Rafael Nadal in French Open final

French Open women's doubles champion Kristina ‘Kiki’ Mladenovic has become the latest tennis partner to attack an opponent's questionable tactics during a match.

Just hours after winning the doubles title with Timea Babos, Mladenovic was in attendance to support Dominic Thiem in the men's singles final against Rafael Nadal.

While Nadal went on to make history by winning his 12th Roland Garros title, an accumulation of moments early in the match – which would have come as no surprise – quickly frustrated Thiem's player box.

The habitually precise Nadal's delays between points and games were grating on Mladenovic.

So the 26-year-old decided to follow in the footsteps of Andy Murray's wife Kim Sears, who was caught swearing at Tomas Berdych during the 2015 Australian Open, and Mirka Federer, who jeered at Nick Kyrgios in Miami two years ago.

Mladenovic attempted to influence the umpire into taking early action.

In a cunning plan, she was caught yelling 'time!' as Nadal slowly moved from his chair back to the court to resume play.

Players are only allowed up to 25 seconds between serves, while change of ends last 90 seconds.

Mladenovic wasn’t alone, however.

Before the first point of the eighth game in the first set, Nadal was back in position nearly a minute after Thiem was ready to serve.

After the point was played, he was heard speaking in German to Mladenovic and the rest of his box.

“Ninety hours till we play one point. That's beyond a joke, honestly,” he said.

None of it slipped by fans, either, with Nadal's followers particularly scathing of Mladenovic.

The match was level at one set apiece after one hour and 45 minutes but Nadal breezed through the final two frames over the next one hour and 19 minutes.

Putting her frustrations and sadness aside, Mladenovic paid tribute to Nadal’s astonishing 12th French Open title in a tweet after the match:

Nadal, meanwhile, told Thiem that he will win Roland Garros one day after seeing off the Austrian in the final for a second consecutive year.

The 33-year-old Spaniard claimed a 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 victory over the fourth seed.

"I am sorry as you are one of the best examples on tour," Nadal told Thiem.

"You are a hard worker, always have a smile on your face and are a good person. That's the most important thing.

"Thanks for being a great inspiration for me and small kids around the world.

"If I wanted to lose to someone it would be you because you deserve it. Well done and keep going – you will win this for sure."

Thiem, bidding to become Austria's second grand slam champion after Thomas Muster win in Paris in 1995, cut a weary figure towards the end of the three-hour final.

The 25-year-old was playing for a fourth successive day.

"It's very tough. I gave everything these last two weeks," he said.

"Rafa, well done. You are an amazing champion and a legend in our sport.

"I am happy that you are playing. To win 12 times, it's unreal. I will try again, for sure."

with AFP