'Rafael Nadal wasn't ready' - Becker backs 'right' Denis Shapovalov over time-wasting fury at Australian Open

ByDan Quarrell

Updated 25/01/2022 at 11:25 GMT

"If the umpire strictly follows the rules, Shapovalov is right," Boris Becker told Eurosport Germany's 'Matchball Becker' show after the Canadian's angry rants at Rafael Nadal taking too much time and getting away with it. "The server decides how fast you play. Nadal was not ready to return within 45 seconds. But players like Nadal and also Djokovic or Federer have earned a certain status."

Boris Becker has backed Denis Shapovalov after his angry rant at both Rafael Nadal and the umpire during their fiery quarter-final at the Australian Open.

Absolutely livid at what he felt was the 2009 champion at Melbourne Park's constant time-wasting, the Canadian flew into an angry exchange with the umpire where he accused the official of being "corrupt".

With a 1-0 lead in the second set, having lost the opener 6-3, Shapovalov yelled at the umpire for not handing Nadal a code violation for taking too much time between points.

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While Becker acknowledged that Nadal, along with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, has "earned a certain status", he said that Shapovalov was correct with his reaction to the apparent rule-breaking.

"If the umpire strictly follows the rules, Shapovalov is right," Becker told Eurosport Germany's 'Matchball Becker' show.

"The server decides how fast you play. Nadal was not ready to return within 45 seconds.

"But players like Nadal and also Djokovic or Federer have earned a certain status - nevertheless, you have to follow up on that."

According to fellow Eurosport expert Mats Wilander, Shapovalov's rants were effectively pointless beyond firing him up with Nadal being such a "mental giant".

"Shapovalov was obviously very emotional, most probably too emotional in my book," Wilander said.

"At the same time, maybe he needed to get fired up. The way he talked to Rafa was respectful and then he got fired up about the chair umpires. He came up against a mental giant.

"I don't mind this if it is done in the proper way. I think you have to read between the lines, it's just 'this guy is taking too long - I don't care who it is, you guys have to follow the rules'."

Shapovalov rants on time-wasting shrugged off by 'mental giant' Nadal - Wilander

The exchange with the No. 14 seed and the umpire, as Nadal watched on from the other side of the court having not been ready to begin the game, unravelled as follows:

Shapovalov: "You started the clock like 45 seconds ago and he is not ready to play. You started the clock like so long ago and he is still not ready to play. You've gotta code him."

Umpire: "Yeah. I code him now, now you are not ready to play?"

Shapovalov: "Code him!"

Umpire: "For what?"

Shapovalov: "He's not ready to play!"

Umpire: "Yeah but you are not ready to play, because you came to talk to me."

Shapovalov: "Are you kidding me?"

Umpire: "I'm not kidding you."

Shapovalov: "You guys are all corrupt! You guys are all corrupt!"

• 'You guys are all corrupt!' - Shapovalov in furious rant at Nadal and umpire
• 'Rafa had it right' - Djokovic 'not bigger' than 'great success' Aus Open says politician
• 'Amazing that Nadal could do what Federer did' - McEnroe

Another exchange between Shapovalov and the umpire involved Nadal, who was serving at the time, and on this occasion it was the official who began after he felt he was being called out again.

‘What do you want?’ - Umpire hits back at Shapovalov for criticising him over Nadal

Umpire: "What do you want?"

Shapovalov: "What are you looking at?"

Umpire: "You were looking at me; there were eight seconds to play. What do you want? Why are you looking at me like I need to watch the ... you have the shot clock. So this ... it disturbs me."

Shapovalov and Nadal then had words with each other at the net while the Canadian continued to rant at the official in the searing Melbourne heat.

The Spaniard went on to clinch a dramatic five-set victory, 6-3 6-4 4-6 3-6 6-3, and reach the semi-finals at Melbourne Park for the seventh time in his illustrious career.

The 35-year-old Nadal is seeking to not only win his second title at Melbourne Park this fortnight, but also to pull away from rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer with a 21st Grand Slam singles title.

'It's unfair how much Rafa is getting away with' - Shapovalov on time-wasting anger

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