Rafael Nadal and John McEnroe were involved in a fiery exchange at the 2022 US Open, with the Spaniard looking to address the American’s queries about the time he takes between points
The US Open will soon conclude, with the iconic John McEnroe ever-present in the commentary booth. However, the American’s opinions haven’t always been so well received, as Rafael Nadal showed three years ago.
Nadal, who hung up his racket in late 2024 after years at the top, had just dispatched first-round opponent Rinky Hijikata when he was confronted with some remarks made by McEnroe in 2022.
The four-time US Open champion had questioned whether Nadal received preferential treatment from umpires for the lengthy breaks he takes between points, which the Spaniard would maintain were due to him perspiring more than other competitors.
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In response to this line of questioning, the 22-time Grand Slam champion didn’t hold back and provoked a revealing reaction from McEnroe.
“I think it’s a joke. I went through a lot of warnings through my tennis career and never for breaking a racket or for doing a mess on court. But yes I have for the time clock,” confessed Nadal when McEnroe’s queries were put to him.
“The problem for players like me who are sweating a lot, you know when you go to pick up the towel you will be in trouble with the time, so I’m not going very often.
“I am following the rules. If I am having more than 25 seconds I receive a warning every single time. If not, check the clock,” he continued.
“I don’t think I’m receiving different treatment at all. I don’t understand why John can say that on the TV but I am going to have a chat with him later.”
When McEnroe discovered Nadal’s displeasure, he hit back fiercely, insisting he had been betrayed by whoever questioned the Spanish legend about his remarks.
“Why did they throw me under the bus?” said McEnroe. “We haven’t had that talk. But let me just add that he didn’t let me finish, whoever that dumb journalist was.
“Rafael Nadal is entitled to do whatever the hell he wants. That’s part of why you get as good as you are. You’ve got to deal with that – and it’s not up to him. We all know that he’s been doing this for the past 10 or 15 years. There’s nothing new to that.
“It’s not his call – it’s the umpire’s. By the way I think it’s BS anyway, that thing. No one pays attention to that. It should be automatic if you’re actually going to do it, right?
“When do they turn it on? When do they do it? Is it at the end of the point, is it when they get to the towel, is it when the crowd comes down?
“Now Nadal thinks I said that his legacy has been stained because he takes too much time,” an evidently disgruntled McEnroe added. “Jiminy Cricket.”