'Can't believe it': Rafael Nadal in 'absurd' controversy at US Open
Rafael Nadal was taking on Aussie John Millman in a tough first round match at the US Open when a ‘terrible’ umpire call irked the Spaniard.
Nadal was able to share a laugh with security pre-match at the US Open but he wasn’t laughing after he was slapped with a controversial time violation.
The service games of Millman and Nadal had been halted throughout the first set after officials appeared to allow fans to enter the stadium just when the players were about to start.
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After numerous hold ups, Nadal was about to serve at the end of the first set when he stopped because fans were taking their seat behind Millman.
But the umpire hit the 18-time Grand Slam winner with a time violation, which annoyed Nadal.
The Spaniard approached the net and tried to explain to the umpire why he halted his serve.
Social media users suggested Millman came to the defence of Nadal and had mentioned fans were taking their seat.
But the umpire didn’t budge and stuck with her original call.
While Nadal has always taken his time serving, which has been a gripe of Aussie Nick Krygios, many fans leapt to his defence on this occasion.
Time violation for Rafa.
Nadal: “I was ready to serve, I was just waiting for the noise”
🤔— Louise Ransome (@LouRansomeFOX) August 27, 2019
Absurd time violation called on Nadal #USOpen
— DropShots (@shots_drop) August 27, 2019
Terrible time violation call against Nadal. Umpire doesn't seem to get that this is Arthur Ashe Stadium.
— Grumpy Dem (@randomwandering) August 27, 2019
@usopen what's wrong with your officials? Nadal was waiting for someone to sit down. The other player backed him up and the official still gives him grief
— Reggie Kitchens (@reggiekitchens) August 27, 2019
#Nadal handled that citation from the umpire with such class. Am sure he’s hopping mad after that call. #USOpen
— Sherwin Bryce-Pease (@sherwiebp) August 27, 2019
#Nadal ready & away to serve when there is a noise from the crowd causing him to stop & umpire gives him a time violation & she refuses to listen to his reason even after #Millman approaches the net & backs him up. Pathetic officiating! #USOpen
— A.Grant (@Alexgmanutd98) August 28, 2019
nadal actually receiving a time violation i can't believe it
— Jeff Stanislaw (@jeffisNOTNICE) August 27, 2019
Fortunately for the Spaniard he was able to hold serve and lift his game to win in straight sets.
Nadal’s funny run-in with security
Even the greats aren’t immune to the strict security measures at the US Open.
And Rafael Nadal found that out first-hand on Tuesday.
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Arriving for his first-round clash with John Millman, Nadal was made to join the cues and go through security like everyone else entering the Flushing Meadows grounds.
In a funny video posted by the official US Open account, Nadal looks slightly annoyed as he waits while a security guard checks his bag.
“Even the biggest stars have to go through security,” they wrote on Twitter.