Rafael Nadal

'Never seen that before': Nadal scolds rival as heated Wimbledon match takes 'bizarre' turn.

“For me it’s one of the biggest challenges to play Petra on grass,” said 24-year-old Badosa. “I have no words right now,” she said. “In France good wine always ages well, that’s what’s happened to me. I did it in a nice way but I feel really bad now if I bothered him. “I’m kind of aware that this could happen,” she said. That’s it - I will talk to him after but this is not a problem.” “I didn’t make it in a negative way. “As a solid player, she used that pretty well. Bizarre end to the match.” “I was pretty confused about my tactics. Second seed Nadal, the champion in 2008 and 2010, swept to a 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 win. But maybe it was wrong.”

Rafael Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, said Ricardas Berankis was not an easy opponent and admitted he needs to improve if he wants to go far at ...

Kenny Ducey continued by describing the challenging opposition Nadal will encounter if he advances to the quarterfinals. I think there was a good level of tennis in that fourth set. Down two sets, Berankis began the third set with a break and then held serve for the rest of the set to force a fourth set. "Every day is a challenge, that's the truth. But I think the fourth set was much better. Nadal also struggled in his Wimbledon debut, as he needed four sets to beat Francisco Cerundolo.

Rafael Nadal apologised to defeated Wimbledon opponent Lorenzo Sonego after a testy exchange in the closing stages of their third-round clash on Sunday ...

Bizarre end to the match.” I did it in a nice way but I feel really bad now if I bothered him. “My intention was never to bother him at all. “It’s something that I spoke with him in the locker room and it stays there. He even summoned Sonego to the net at one point to discuss his displeasure. “I have to say that I was wrong.

The Spaniard made it to the second week after a routine straight-sets win, but the match was overshadowed by their long dialogue at the net late in the ...

Just to tell (him) one thing that was bothering me that I think he was doing in that moment, but that’s it. “I have to say that I was wrong. I apologise for that. I should not (have) called him to the net. That ticking off was followed up by another lengthy exchange at the net once Nadal had wrapped up the win, with a visibly upset Sonego trying to understand exactly what he had done wrong. Playing Rafael Nadal on clay is considered to be one of the most frustrating challenges in tennis.

Rafael Nadal result: The Spaniard defeated Lorenzo Sonego in straight sets at Wimbledon on Centre Court to reach the fourth round and The Sporting News was ...

Nadal gets the first point of the match as Sonego hits a return into the net. Sonego curses to himself as he gifts Nadal break point with an overhit forehand. Nadal wins the next point but Sonego should have put it to bed having lobbed Nadal and then got back into a decent position only to hit his next forehand long. Sonego thought he had break point at 30-3- as his cross-court forehand just went wide as Nadal came to the net. When he does, on the last point, Nadal is at the net to hit the volley. Sonego is rewarded for his efforts in chasing around the court as Nadal ends the rally by hitting the net, 15-15. Nadal has Sonego playing so deep and then exploits his positioning with a volley at net to go 30-0 up. Sonego runs himself into the ground to win an energetic point and get to 40-30, a forehand winner leaving Nadal no chance. He goes to the net and calls for Sonego to come over and have a word. Nadal gets to break point though and a poor decision from Sonego allows Nadal to backhand volley. Wow. Sonego is sent from left to right and back again and slips but still manages to scoop a forehand winner as he falls to the floor. An ace coupled with a neat volley at the net that forces Sonego into hitting wide gets Nadal to 30-0.

The highest seed left in Nadal's side of the Wimbledon draw is Taylor Fritz, although Nick Kyrgios could be a potential semi-final opponent.

“I did a lot of things much better than the previous days. “He didn’t play so many matches on grass the last couple of years. I should not call him on the net, so I apologise for that. He added in his press conference: “I have to say that I was wrong. “I spoke with him in the locker room and it stays there. I feel really bad now if I bothered him so I feel sorry for that.

RAFAEL NADAL was locked in an odd exchange at the end of his win over Lorenzo Sonego as he spoke to the Italian at the net.

After the win, Nadal said: “Not spicy at all - I just from the bottom of my heart I didn't make it in a negative way I feel sorry if I bothered him but I did it in a right way. That's it - I will talk to him after but this is not a problem.” Nadal defeated Sonego 6-1 6-2 6-4 to secure his first straight sets win of this year’s Championships after having dropped a set in each of his first two matches.

His message comes less than a month after Sainz branded Nadal the “best” tennis player following his record-extending 14th French Open and 22nd Grand Slam title ...

I recognise that.” The tennis icon himself is also in the country for Wimbledon, where he will play his fourth-round match on Monday. Nadal quickly apologised in his post-match press conference as he said: ”Well, first of all, I have to say that I was wrong.