Nadal stopped Wimbledon interview after debate as he issued Grand Slam reminder
Rafael Nadal famously felt the need to remind a reporter than he was in fact the World No 2 and the winner of 18 Grand Slams when he was asked if his appearance on Centre Court was justified.
Back at the championships in 2019 the Spaniard took issue with a question that appeared to call his status into debate. 'Manic Monday' has caused a scheduling headache for Wimbledon organisers as all 16 fourth round matches across both the men's and women's draw take place on the same day.
Ash Barty, now retired by then the women's No 1, had been playing on an outside court. Fresh off winning the French Open the Australian found herself on Court 2 for the second time in four matches and was beaten 3-6 6-2 6-3 by little-known American Alison Riske.
It ignited debate over whether her match should've been playing in front of a bigger round as opposed to Nadal's 6-2 6-2 6-2 routine win over Joao Sousa.
Nadal certainly had no interest in giving the politically correct answer when asked about whether Barty was deserving of the Centre Court slot.
Nadal was asked the question and then responded: "Can we predict the future or not?" The reporter then reminded him that Barty was the world No 1.
The Spaniard quickly hit back: "I am the world No 2 and I won 18 Grand Slams. My answer is not no or yes, my answer is they have to make a decision. But you are putting Ashleigh Barty in front of me. Both decisions would've been good. In the world of tennis today, honestly, my feeling is today I am little bit more than Ashleigh Barty, even if Ashleigh Barty is the first (ranked) player in the world and she already won in the French Open and she is playing unbelievably good.
"But we can't create polemics every single day about decisions that they have to take. At the end of the day they have to make a decision. A day like today, everybody is playing, Djokovic wasn't playing on Centre. On the first day I had to play on Court One, so everyday is a decision."
Barty meanwhile took a different approach when quizzed and said: "Scheduling is out of my control. I'll play on any court I'm scheduled on. Obviously scheduling is very difficult. There are so many incredible matches all the fans and all the people want to watch, and players want to be a part of. For us, the tennis court is the same size. Court 2 is a beautiful court. I enjoyed my time out there."
Barty would emerge victorious on her next visit to Wimbledon two years later, beating Karolina Pliskova to win her second Grand Slam.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
16 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Alejandro Garnacho's Chelsea transfer is being held up by Blues' Christopher Nkunku stance as Man Utd set out demands
GARNA WAIT Alejandro Garnacho's Chelsea transfer is being held up by Blues' Christopher Nkunku stance as Man Utd set out demands Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CHELSEA'S pursuit of Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho has been stalled by the West London club's steep valuation of Christopher Nkunku. The Blues have rejected a loan bid from Bayern Munich for Nkunku, 27, preferring a £50million sale to raise the funds to buy Garnacho for the same price. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Chelsea are yet to meet Alejandro Garnacho's asking price Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 2 The Blues rejected Bayern Munich's loan offer for Christopher Nkunku Credit: Getty United are braced for an offer from Stamford Bridge chiefs for the Argentina international, but are determined not to let the young winger leave on the cheap. The Red Devils want at least £50m for the 21-year-old winger. It's understood that Garnacho only wants Chelsea, which is the main reason why he is still at Carrington nearly three months after boss Ruben Amorim told him to find a new club. The relationship between the two sides has completely broken down and on Sunday a mural of Garnacho close to Old Trafford was defaced by fans. READ MORE ON MAN UTD SAVE US Neville and Rooney tells Man Utd to sign one of two players after Arsenal defeat As an academy graduate, the money raised will have a huge impact on United's Profit and Sustainability checks as his sale will be marked as pure profit. But, the negotiations - which must be completed before the close of the summer window in 14 days time - will be a major test for United chiefs. The Red Devils know Chelsea will attempt to drive the price down for Garnacho, who has been training alone with the 'Bomb Squad' after being iced out. Insiders at Old Trafford note the Blues' reluctance to sell one of their unwanted forwards Nkunku for less than £50m. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Nkunku's hefty price tag is guiding Chelsea's moves for Garnacho and RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons. Garnacho's exit would open the door for United to bag a new goalkeeper with Andre Onana and second stopper Altay Bayindir not up to scratch. Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville both make transfer plea to Man Utd after Arsenal clash Bayindir deputised for the injured Onana for United's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in their Premier League opener on Sunday. The Turk, 27, was at fault for the goal after he flapped at Declan Rice's inswinging corner, which was headed in by Riccardo Calafiori in the 13th minute. SunSport exclusively revealed that United have made discreet checks over a remarkable return for club legend David de Gea from Fiorentina. Amorim's side were tipped off that the Spaniard, 34, has a clause in his deal at Fiorentina — allowing him to leave for a relatively small sum. Gianluigi Donnarumma has also been linked with both United and Manchester City after being relegated to No.2 at Paris Saint-Germain with one year left on his deal. Italy stopper Donnarumma, 26, is set to demand a bumper 50 per cent rise on his current £210,000 per week salary.
The Herald Scotland
3 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Gordon Reid: Wheelchair tennis must keep proving value
But, while mixed doubles champions will now get one million dollars (£740,000) between them, the total pot for all wheelchair players is 1.69 million dollars (£1.25m). Gordon Reid, left and Alfie Hewett were beaten in the Wimbledon final (Adam Davy/PA) Reid and Hewett, who have won six titles at Flushing Meadows, with Hewett also winning four singles titles, have been a big driving force in the improvement in wheelchair tennis. And the Scot knows that needs to continue for the players to be rewarded more financially. 'It's been 20 years since we started, so in terms of the age of the slams themselves, we're obviously very fresh, very new,' Reid told the PA news agency. 'As much as we want to obviously see an increase and the gap in the prize money closing, I think we also need to prove that we're adding something, adding value to the tournament. 'Hopefully then those come hand in hand – the opportunities that we get and the prize money. 'So we just have to try to play our part, to entertain as much as we can and hopefully move that direction together.' The US Open is celebrating its 20th anniversary of wheelchair tennis and the British pair want to celebrate by winning their first doubles title there since 2022. They were beaten in the Wimbledon final last month, but know they are heading to a strong surface. 'It will be just trying to produce some of the level of matches that we played for majority of this year, really,' Hewett said about what it will take to win. 'I mean, the final at Wimbledon was the first match we've lost all year in the doubles. 'Obviously it was probably one we wanted to win the most out of all of them as well. 'We've been working on a lot of stuff that in our game that we're going to try and take on to the hard court. 'A lot of it worked pretty well in Australia and absolutely similar conditions.' Reid and Hewett have recently been back at Wimbledon holding a coaching clinic for Play Your Way To Wimbledon – a national competition with regional and county rounds, which sees winners get the chance to play at SW19. 'It's a fantastic event, giving anyone across the country, especially at grassroots level, the chance to play on the grass courts,' Reid added. 'We know how special that is. 'So to get to have that opportunity for so many people is amazing and having all the different inclusive categories is something we love to see.' :: Supported by long time Vodafone ambassadors Alfie Hewett OBE and Gordon Reid OBE, Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, aims to make the game more accessible for all and inspire the next generation with the opportunity to compete on Wimbledon's world-famous grass courts.
South Wales Argus
6 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
World No.10 claims Play Your Way to Wimbledon title
Moody, 21, is currently ranked top 10 in the world on the Learning Disability circuit, featured in the national finals at Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, which is the UK's largest individual mass participation tennis competition and is delivered by Vodafone in partnership with the LTA and the All England Club. Thousands of players took part in the qualifying stages this year, leading to county and regional finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on Wimbledon's Aorangi Courts last week. Moody, who described Andy Murray as his tennis icon, won the Learning Disability competition on the grass courts, and admitted that it was an experience to remember. He said: "It's hard to find words for this but it's a great achievement for me and I'm very proud of it. '[The final] was a long match so it's a lot of relief. A lot of hardwork has been put into it and I've been here three times before so I'm coming away third time lucky now to win this event. It means a lot. Our grass courts are back in action 🤩 This week, they're hosting the Finals of Play Your Way to #Wimbledon, powered by @VodafoneUK 🎾 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) August 7, 2025 'A lot of people don't get the opportunity to play on the grass [at Wimbledon]. For me it's something a little bit different but it's challenging and I really enjoy it. "I started playing tennis when I was nine-years-old and joined the Learning Disabilities circuit as a teenager. I've played at the Australian Open twice now which is definitely my biggest achievement whilst representing Great Britain internationally." This year's tournament delivered over 10,000 playing opportunities with thousands of singles and doubles players taking part at 800 venues, leading to county and area finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on the All England Club's Aorangi Courts from 3 – 9 August 2025. The competition aims to broaden playing opportunities and to inspire people of all ages and abilities to play tennis and follow in the footsteps of their tennis heroes by competing for a chance to play on Wimbledon's iconic courts. In addition to 14 and under singles, 18 and under doubles and adult doubles draws, the categories also included wheelchair (adult and juniors), learning disability and visually impaired competitions. The national finals also saw the return of popular para-standing and deaf tennis exhibition matches held during the week. World No.1 wheelchair doubles partners and Vodafone ambassadors Alfie Hewett OBE and Gordon Reid OBE were in attendance to cheer on the players at SW19 and offer their experience and advice. 'We would have loved to have had something like this when we were younger and playing'' said Hewett. 'Play your Way to Wimbledon is a massive event for someone to pick up a racket for the first time or start playing again if they haven't for a while. 'It's about being active at grassroots level, making friends and new tennis partners and that is the beauty of events like this.' Reid added: 'We want tennis to be available and accessible to everybody and get as many people as possible enjoying the sport. 'This event encapsulates that perfectly and we're proud to be a part of it.' Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, is the UK's largest individual mass participation tennis competition. It is delivered by Vodafone, in partnership with the LTA and the All England Club, forming part of Vodafone's ongoing commitment to supporting grassroots tennis in the UK and making the sport more accessible for players of all ages and abilities.
