Australian Open: Rafael Nadal receives preferential treatment, says Denis Shapovalov

Denis Shapovalov during is defeat by Rafael Nadal at the 2022 Australian Open
Denis Shapovalov was aiming for his second Grand Slam semi-final after reaching the last four at Wimbledon in 2021
Dates: 17-30 January Venue: Melbourne Park
Coverage: Daily radio commentaries on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC Sport website and app, with selected live text commentaries online; TV highlights from middle Saturday.

After his loss to Nadal in the Australian Open quarter-finals, Denis said that the Spaniard was given preferential treatment by the umpires.

The umpire Carlos Bernardes was twice complained to for the amount of time he thought Nadal was taking between points.

I think it is unfair that he is getting away with it.

In reply, 35-year-old Nadal said: "I believe he is wrong in this case."

After going two sets down, the 22-year-old lost in five sets to the 20-time Grand Slam champion Nadal.

At the start of the second set, Bernardes was asked to give a time violation by the sixth seed.

When the official did not see fit to do so, Shapovalov shouted: "You guys are all corrupt."

In his post-match news conference, the 14th seed said he messed up during the match but still stood by the bigger point.

25 seconds between shots and two minutes between sets are allowed by a shot clock.

He said that Nadal gets preferential treatment, 100%. The refs have been on the clock for every single point in every other match that I have played.

The clock is 3, 2, 1 and clicking towards zero, and I am ready to play.

I'm looking at the umpire and I'm going to speak up and say something.

I was ready to play for a minute and a half, but he told me he was not going to give me a code violation because I was not ready to play. It is a big joke if someone says that.

Denis Shapovalov and Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open
Shapovalov had a discussion with Nadal at the net following his second complaint

I think he is an unbelievable player and I respect everything that he has done. There have to be some boundaries.

It is so frustrating as a player. You feel like you are playing against more than one player, you are playing against so much more.

The first complaint came after Nadal changed his kit at the end of the first set, and before the second game about how long Nadal was taking to serve.

I took some extra time at the end of the first set because I had to change everything on the chair in the changeover, said Nadal, who won his only Australian Open title in 2009.

It is obvious that you cannot play with the clothes that I was wearing. I went through all the rules after that.

The top players get bigger advantages and honestly on court it is not true, according to Nadal.

I never felt that I had an advantage on the court, and I really believe that he is wrong in that case.

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