El actual camping del Open de Australia and triple winner of Indian Wells, Rafael Nadal, landed in the American tournament with the aim of conquering his fourth crown. For this, the Balearic Islands will have a somewhat less complicated picture than usual without Novak Djokovic (you cannot enter the United States due to not being vaccinated against COVID) and without Alexander Zverevevsanctioned after his expulsion from the Mexico Open.
Zverev’s monumental anger: he loses his head and attacks the chair umpire
Alexander Zverev: incident and sanction
A sanction on which Nadal gave his opinion, what to look for in Indian Wells match all 37 Masters 1,000 from Djokovic. The Balearic Islands positioned themselves in favor of harsher penalties for conduct like Zverev’s, who finished his participation in Acapulco hitting the referee’s chair with his racket in the Mexican tournament. A behavior that has earned him expulsion from the circuit for eight weeks.
Alexander Zverev and Rafa Nadal greet each other after a match
“I am in a difficult position. I am divided because I have a good relationship with ‘Sasha’ and it’s someone I appreciate, but He knows he was wrong and he admitted it very quickly. That is positive, but on the other hand, if we are not able to control this type of behavior on the court or find a way to sanction them in a stronger way, then the players can have a feeling of impunity,” Nadal said at a press conference. press.
If we are not able to control this type of behavior or find a way to penalize it more strongly, the players can have a feeling of impunity.
“As in all sports, we must be positive examples for the young people who watch us. So, on the one hand, I don’t want ‘Sasha’ to be punished, but on the other hand I would like to see tougher sanctions for this type of behaviour, because they will protect the sport, the referees and everyone present at a match”, added the Spaniard.
Idilio con Indian Wells
Rafa Nadal has conquered Indian Wells three times (2007, 2009 and 2013) in his individual draw and twice in doubles together with Marc López (2010 and 2012). It is not strange, therefore, that the manager maintains an idyll with this tournament. “I’ve been here for more than a week,” Nadal added. “I always enjoy it here. It is one of my favorite tournaments, without a doubt. I take it day by day, just trying to enjoy the moment. It’s unexpected for me to be in this position, so I enjoy it every day and I try to also enjoy the fact that I’m playing well. I’ve already won three titles this year and that’s unbelievable to me.”
