John McEnroe seething over shot-clock drama: ‘Rafael Nadal should be penalised. It’s a joke’

[Frenchy-Player]

John McEnroe has expressed his outrage after Rafael Nadal went unpunished for apparently exceeding the 25-second time limit between shots, describing it as “a joke”

“He should be penalised,” he said during his Eurosport commentary stint.
“If you are going to do it, do it, otherwise don’t bother. It is like humouring everyone.
“It’s a joke! He takes a look at the clock again… one. He’s edging it, isn’t he? Shouldn’t they have it at 15 seconds on the second serve? 10? Something?
“Or don’t bother. It’s like, you can take as much time as you want on the second serve. How long is this game? 12 minutes? Jeez.”

John McEnroe seething over shot-clock drama: 'Rafael Nadal should be penalised. It's a joke'

John McEnroe has expressed his outrage after Rafael Nadal went unpunished for apparently exceeding the 25-second time limit between shots, describing it as "a joke".

www.tennis365.com

 

[ForehandCross]

I will be very honest, and I will be blunt.

Rafael is a legend. And Iga is greatness in the making.

But, You can't tell me that they are not using delays as a strategic step. Nadal basically takes extra time on every single important point. Iga was doing it too at every duece and 30-30 point. I am sorry, but they are definitely doing it deliberately. Anyone denying this is being blind.

 

[Nadal - GOAT]

I will be very honest, and I will be blunt.

Rafael is a legend. And Iga is greatness in the making.

But, You can't tell me that they are not using delays as a strategic step. Nadal basically takes extra time on every single important point. Iga was doing it too at every duece and 30-30 point. I am sorry, but they are definitely doing it deliberately. Anyone denying this is being blind.

I think it is more a force of habit atleast for Rafa. Remember he has played without a shot clock for most of his career. So the adjustment is hard.

I often see him try to rush because of the clock and then most times he misses the 1st serve.

With regards to Iga, I don't know. I haven't really watched to many of her matches.

Anyways it is upto the umpire to enforce it strictly. I think they give more leeway during humid conditions.

 

[medieval_remnant]

In the second half of his career McEnroe became a very slow player

 

[intrepidish]

If this type of thread is what helps you to cope with your issues which are exacerbated with each Nadal victory, go right ahead.

I hope it helps.

 

[Silverbullet96]

I think it is more a force of habit atleast for Rafa. Remember he has played without a shot clock for most of his career. So the adjustment is hard.

Same goes for every other player on the tour...

 

[ArcspacE]

He's 100% correct

But the ATP will protect their darling at all costs

 

[Bogdan_TT]

I will be very honest, and I will be blunt.

Rafael is a legend. And Iga is greatness in the making.

But, You can't tell me that they are not using delays as a strategic step. Nadal basically takes extra time on every single important point. Iga was doing it too at every duece and 30-30 point. I am sorry, but they are definitely doing it deliberately. Anyone denying this is being blind.

Of course they do. And it’s working. So…

 

[wang07]

Mac is right, unless a more pragmatic approach is implemented, the clock is useless and doesn't serve any purpose. My favourite is when Rafa hits a net or misses a first serve after half a minute (which already should be a warning), and then goes on to take another good 20 seconds between 2 serves just bouncing the ball. So, a whole minute passes over and over again, (especially at 30-30 and such important points) and no one says a word. It's so obvious..

 

[Frenchy-Player]

If this type of thread is what helps you to cope with your issues which are exacerbated with each Nadal victory, go right ahead.

I hope it helps.

Not really.

 

[sureshs]

What about all the time Mac wasted by picking fights with umpires during his career and disrupting the flow of the match with his obnoxiousness?

 

[darthrafa]

ah yeah
only the mode of delay conducted by djoker shall be allowed, ie bouncing the ball until the goat satisfied
absolute bs

 

[XiP]

I will be very honest, and I will be blunt.

Rafael is a legend. And Iga is greatness in the making.

But, You can't tell me that they are not using delays as a strategic step. Nadal basically takes extra time on every single important point. Iga was doing it too at every duece and 30-30 point. I am sorry, but they are definitely doing it deliberately. Anyone denying this is being blind.

Iga is as blatant as Nadal. I particularly dislike the way she slows down the server, when the rules clearly state that receiver plays at the pace of the server.

 

[Silverbullet96]

If this type of thread is what helps you to cope with your issues which are exacerbated with each Nadal victory, go right ahead.

I hope it helps.

At least they're not breaking any rules, unlike Nadal.

 

[ForumMember]

Even as a Rafa fan I would admit he pushes the limits and it could be annoying as you want to see the action..

 

[XiP]

ah yeah
only the mode of delay conducted by djoker shall be allowed, ie bouncing the ball until the goat satisfied
absolute bs

Tbf Djokovic almost never goes over the 25sec. He sets up very early and that's how he's got time to bounce the ball 23 times.

 

[intrepidish]

At least they're not breaking any rules, unlike Nadal.

You are effectively communicating that this is a difficult time for you. If fantasizing about the world helps you sublimate the tensions, you have my support.

 

[TheNachoMan]

It’s 2022, we still have to suffer through threads like this. lol

 

[ArcspacE]

@octobrina10 knows John is right

But would she respond?

 

[Silverbullet96]

You are effectively communicating that this is a difficult time for you. If fantasizing about the world helps you sublimate the tensions, you have my support.

And you're just ignoring that Nadal breaks the rules by saying "salty salty salty salty" because you can't defend yourself in this situation, shows how much you blindly worship Nadal, going so far as to ignore his faults. Nadal is above rules apparently, isn't it ? God forbid he has to play Tennis with a little extra sweat.

 

[The Fedfather]

I get what John is saying, though surprised he's this harsh in phrasing it because I thought he liked Rafa quite a bit.

As someone who likes Rafa and doesn't think he's a cheater, on some points when they focused the camera on Nadal as he was towelling off, it was obvious Rafa was taking his time with it. Like, he was folding the towel in an unnecessarily deliberate way and was doing it slowly. However, this didn't seem like a problem for Zverev, and I don't think Rafa thought it was messing woth his oppoment either. Him taking more time between points might've been to consider his tactics on the next point or to calm himself. That's still wrong but it's not gamesmanship.

That's where John is right. It is the umpires' job to enforce the rules. They rarely penalize longer time taken between points with any other top player, so why would they do it with Rafa? The system needs a change.

 

[intrepidish]

And you're just ignoring that Nadal breaks the rules by saying "salty salty salty salty" because you can't defend yourself in this situation, shows how much you blindly worship Nadal, going so far as to ignore his faults. Nadal is above rules apparently, isn't it ? God forbid he has to play Tennis with a little extra sweat.

I'm ignoring the claims about the rules because I know this isn't about the rules.

As for the rules, it's the umpire who makes the determinations as to when points start and stop for the purposes of the time limit.

If the umpire determines additional time should be granted, that too is in the rules by definition.

You should perhaps learn what the rules are and the mechanisms by which they are enforced if this is such a vital matter for you.

 

[TheNachoMan]

Don’t hate the player, hate the game.

 

[ForumMember]

I get what John is saying, though surprised he's this harsh in phrasing it because I thought he liked Rafa quite a bit.

As someone who likes Rafa and doesn't think he's a cheater, on some points when they focused the camera on Nadal as he was towelling off, it was obvious Rafa was taking his time with it. Like, he was folding the towel in an unnecessarily deliberate way and was doing it slowly. However, this didn't seem like a problem for Zverev, and I don't think Rafa thought it was messing woth his oppoment either. Him taking more time between points might've been to consider his tactics on the next point or to calm himself. That's still wrong but it's not gamesmanship.

That's where John is right. It is the umpires' job to enforce the rules. They rarely penalize longer time talen between poinys with any other top player, so why would they do it with Rafa? The system needs a change.

I agree with this. I also dont think that his intention ever is to break the rythm of other player. He mostly does it to calm himself down. But yet a violation is a violation and top of that its annoying.

 

[darthrafa]

Don’t hate the player, hate the game.

u r likely the most rational djoker supporter

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

Lol at all these Nadal hating threads lately from users you haven’t heard about before, some people seriously have mental issues. Initially I didn’t care who wins the final tomorrow but I will definitely hope for Nadal to reach 22 now, just to see these sad individuals going completely apesh*t here.

 

[TheNachoMan]

u r likely the most rational djoker supporter

There are many rational Djoker fans. It’s just a loud minority.

 

[Silverbullet96]

I'm ignoring the claims about the rules because I know this isn't about the rules.

As for the rules, it's the umpire who makes the determinations as to when points start and stop for the purposes of the time limit.

If the umpire determines additional time should be granted, that too is in the rules by definition.

So the umpire is basically letting Nadal break the rule time and time again, tell me, how is it wrong to be annoyed about that ? I wasn't the one who made threads about this, but Nadal fans here are just making fun of people for wanting rules to be enforced.

 

[intrepidish]

So the umpire is basically letting Nadal break the rule time and time again, tell me, how is it wrong to be annoyed about that ? I wasn't the one who made threads about this, but Nadal fans here are just making fun of people for wanting rules to be enforced.

The umpire makes the determinations as to when points begin and end based on the environment and the point just played.

Saying you 'want the rule enforced' means the umpire making those exact determinations.

It is indeed humorous to see people clamoring about the 'rules' who don't understand what that actually means.

 

[Searchlight]

A pathetic umpire...I am no fan of either but the pace between points was painfully slow and zverev ends up getting the warning for yelling out a curse word that he says was not a curse word...I mean it's not like he whispered it so either it is or is not a curse word...I tend to believe the person who said it not the guy trying to interpret it..

 

[NonP]

I get what John is saying, though surprised he's this harsh in phrasing it because I thought he liked Rafa quite a bit.

As someone who likes Rafa and doesn't think he's a cheater, on some points when they focused the camera on Nadal as he was towelling off, it was obvious Rafa was taking his time with it. Like, he was folding the towel in an unnecessarily deliberate way and was doing it slowly. However, this didn't seem like a problem for Zverev, and I don't think Rafa thought it was messing woth his oppoment either. Him taking more time between points might've been to consider his tactics on the next point or to calm himself. That's still wrong but it's not gamesmanship.

That's where John is right. It is the umpires' job to enforce the rules. They rarely penalize longer time talen between poinys with any other top player, so why would they do it with Rafa? The system needs a change.

Apart from obvious partisanship it really strikes moi that old-timers (pros and fans alike) have this visceral reaction to what they consider strategic time wasting by Bull and his ilk. It's like they can't imagine any other reason why any player would take so long between points, which is understandable given how accustomed they are to quicker serving by the likes of Laver, Rosewall, Connors, Borg, McEnroe and others they grew up with.

So I don't blame 'em for this uncharitable interpretation... except that most of the detractors here weren't even alive in the early OE. So yeah, salt sounds about right.

I agree with this. I also dont think that his intention ever is to break the rythm of other player. He mostly does it to calm himself down. But yet a violation is a violation and top of that its annoying.

The term "OCD" is bandied about too flippantly but in its colloquial sense it's a pretty accurate explanation of Bull's seeming gamesmanship. Agree that it's not intentional on his part.

 

[selesian]

I get what John is saying, though surprised he's this harsh in phrasing it because I thought he liked Rafa quite a bit.

As someone who likes Rafa and doesn't think he's a cheater, on some points when they focused the camera on Nadal as he was towelling off, it was obvious Rafa was taking his time with it. Like, he was folding the towel in an unnecessarily deliberate way and was doing it slowly. However, this didn't seem like a problem for Zverev, and I don't think Rafa thought it was messing woth his oppoment either. Him taking more time between points might've been to consider his tactics on the next point or to calm himself. That's still wrong but it's not gamesmanship.

That's where John is right. It is the umpires' job to enforce the rules. They rarely penalize longer time talen between poinys with any other top player, so why would they do it with Rafa? The system needs a change.

I noticed that when Zverev was wheeled off after injuring his ankle, Rafa took off his shirt and placed it on the back of his chair slowly and neatly like he was doing with the towels, before changing to another one. I don't think he's conscious of doing it -- It must be some kind of OCD thing that he has.

 

[DariaGT]

Lol at all these Nadal hating threads lately from users you haven’t heard about before, some people seriously have mental issues. Initially I didn’t care who wins the final tomorrow but I will definitely hope for Nadal to reach 22 now, just to see these sad individuals going completely apesh*t here.

haters you havent heard about before? how strange and why is it hate to be tired of waiting for actual play? Servers also been made to wait and matches going for longer than they should?
The same can be said about Citybus famous toilet break or Kyrgios acting like a clown its simply that many finally had enough of losing their life waiting for actual tennis action.

The only mental issues are of those with blind idolatry not those with logical criticism that accept nobody is perfect. We all want to watch Nadal play not abuse every part of the game and
having to make a new rule just because of him or others. I actually want him to keep playing in his 40s he is the most exciting and animated player in the history of the game like peak
Hewitt, Kuerten, Chang and Agassi all combined careers. If it was not for Nadal we would have a Klaus Schwabb like Federer and many Mugs winning Slams they have no right to.

At 25 you would still just give him an excuse he is not aware of his tactics but at 35 and no one else taking so long ranked below or above him its pretty obvious why many have had enough.

 

[octobrina10]

John McEnroe has expressed his outrage after Rafael Nadal went unpunished for apparently exceeding the 25-second time limit between shots, describing it as “a joke”

“He should be penalised,” he said during his Eurosport commentary stint.
“If you are going to do it, do it, otherwise don’t bother. It is like humouring everyone.
“It’s a joke! He takes a look at the clock again… one. He’s edging it, isn’t he? Shouldn’t they have it at 15 seconds on the second serve? 10? Something?
“Or don’t bother. It’s like, you can take as much time as you want on the second serve. How long is this game? 12 minutes? Jeez.”

John McEnroe seething over shot-clock drama: 'Rafael Nadal should be penalised. It's a joke'

John McEnroe has expressed his outrage after Rafael Nadal went unpunished for apparently exceeding the 25-second time limit between shots, describing it as "a joke".

www.tennis365.com

You and the author of the article are cheating readers, and John McEnroe are cheating listeners. The author of the article did not understand what John McEnroe was talking about (she uses the word 'apparently'), because it's impossible to understand this rubbish:
McEnroe (an excerpt from the article): ¤¤ “It’s a joke! He takes a look at the clock again… one. He’s edging it, isn’t he? Shouldn’t they have it at 15 seconds on the second serve? 10? Something?
“Or don’t bother. It’s like, you can take as much time as you want on the second serve. How long is this game? 12 minutes? Jeez.”¤¤

I wonder why the author of the article wrote it, if she doesn't understand anything.

 

[octobrina10]

I will be very honest, and I will be blunt.

Rafael is a legend. And Iga is greatness in the making.

But, You can't tell me that they are not using delays as a strategic step. Nadal basically takes extra time on every single important point. Iga was doing it too at every duece and 30-30 point. I am sorry, but they are definitely doing it deliberately. Anyone denying this is being blind.

Hi, Rafa basher! Don't try to cheat readers! A player has to stay within the 25-second time limit the serve clock (triggered by the chair umpire) allows. He can't "take extra time."

 

[Cupcake]

If the officials wanted to enforce the rule, they would. But tennis is a business, and Rafa is a cash cow. How many fans are going to tune in to watch a punctual mug without racket magic, or a Rafa/Novak match that takes longer to play?

Mac himself was controversial when he played. More people tuned in to watch him lose than to win. But he did deliver the eyeballs and the advertisers were happy. The more people watching, the more money made. The more controversy, the greater the interest.

Is announcer Mac himself, by bringing attention and 'outrage' to this non issue, merely trying to bring in more viewers? Tennis is not exactly a popular viewing sport in the US. He's just trying to drum up more interest in a sport he loves,

 

[octobrina10]

I think it is more a force of habit atleast for Rafa. Remember he has played without a shot clock for most of his career. So the adjustment is hard.

I often see him try to rush because of the clock and then most times he misses the 1st serve.

With regards to Iga, I don't know. I haven't really watched to many of her matches.

Anyways it is upto the umpire to enforce it strictly. I think they give more leeway during humid conditions.

Rafa has very well adjusted to the serve o'clock. He won the Masters 1000 in Toronto, where he played with the serve clock for the first time:

The thing is that Rafa bashers are baselessly accusing him. The bashers who have bashed Rafa on TTW, have had no idea that the chair umpire operates the serve clock: the umpire triggers the clock and gives a player 25 seconds to start the 1st serv.

 

[octobrina10]

I get what John is saying, though surprised he's this harsh in phrasing it because I thought he liked Rafa quite a bit.

As someone who likes Rafa and doesn't think he's a cheater, on some points when they focused the camera on Nadal as he was towelling off, it was obvious Rafa was taking his time with it. Like, he was folding the towel in an unnecessarily deliberate way and was doing it slowly. However, this didn't seem like a problem for Zverev, and I don't think Rafa thought it was messing woth his oppoment either. Him taking more time between points might've been to consider his tactics on the next point or to calm himself. That's still wrong but it's not gamesmanship.

That's where John is right. It is the umpires' job to enforce the rules. They rarely penalize longer time taken between points with any other top player, so why would they do it with Rafa? The system needs a change.

I wonder when Rafa bashers understand that the chair umpire triggers the serve clock and players can't "take more time between points" (i.e. more than the serve clock allows).

 

[DariaGT]

A personal towel person in gloves should be easy to arrange and another with a prod will be just like in Bull rings

or one of these pushers would be cheap sourced from China rather than Japan

 

[XiP]

I get what John is saying, though surprised he's this harsh in phrasing it because I thought he liked Rafa quite a bit.

As someone who likes Rafa and doesn't think he's a cheater, on some points when they focused the camera on Nadal as he was towelling off, it was obvious Rafa was taking his time with it. Like, he was folding the towel in an unnecessarily deliberate way and was doing it slowly. However, this didn't seem like a problem for Zverev, and I don't think Rafa thought it was messing woth his oppoment either. Him taking more time between points might've been to consider his tactics on the next point or to calm himself. That's still wrong but it's not gamesmanship.

That's where John is right. It is the umpires' job to enforce the rules. They rarely penalize longer time taken between points with any other top player, so why would they do it with Rafa? The system needs a change.

Nadal clearly suffers from OCD. One could argue that an accommodation should be made for his OCD.

Iga or Cilic OTOH...

 

[roysid]

Rafa explained that the conditions are very humid and he was sweating. It was the same as in Australia shapopalov match. He informed the umpire he he will take more time.

Come on who wouldn't give some extra time to 21 gs and 13 rg winner.

I dont think he would take that much time in finals assuming its a outdoor match

 

[octobrina10]

...Tennis is not exactly a popular viewing sport in the US. He's [Mac] just trying to drum up more interest in a sport he loves,

By talking rubbish to listeners in the US.

 

[darthrafa]

those crybabies dont understand the art of being an umpire
it is easy to start the clock but a few seconds more may benefit either side and even let players recover to perform better
blind rafa haters without any sense

 

[AgassiSuperSlam11]

I won't dispute the OP premise that there should be more enforcement of clock violation. Nadal, I believe did get a warning against Nole in the QF, but I don't see Mcenroe and his boisterous New Yawk voice saying anything about Nole smashing his racquet against the net during that same match. Moreover, the deafening silence of Jim Courier (great commentator but biased) when that incident took place. In addition, Courier was silent when Nole kicked a small billboard in 2021 FO QF. Yet, the same guy makes an issue about Nadal patting the umpire in the back and states. "In other sports a player can be ejected.' This whole thing is pot-kettle rubbish and really doesn't change much.

The fact remains Chair Umpires are among the weakest officials in all of sports. Many ITF rules are rarely enforced. When you see Zverev smash his racquet several times against an Umpire Chair and Stefanos calling French Umpires, "A bunch of weirdos" and telling an Umpire in Madrid, "Don't call me friend" then you know the players feel they are the bosses of the court. Spectators do pay to see players but without enforcement of rules then the sport is reduced to "inmates run the asylum."

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

haters you havent heard about before? how strange and why is it hate to be tired of waiting for actual play? Servers also been made to wait and matches going for longer than they should?

There have been three accounts coming up recently from whom I don’t see anything else other than bashing Rafa, openly admitting that they simply hate him. This goes a little beyond rightful criticism on whether he plays according to the shot clock or not. Anywho, everyone is free to play the clown online but unlike original Nadal hater vive those folks are not even original or remotely funny but just polluting the threads. That they coincidently emerged once Rafa is on his way to 22 makes it even more obvious what their true agenda is.

The only mental issues are of those with blind idolatry not those with logical criticism that accept nobody is perfect

Where did me or anyone say Nadal is perfect, I am not even his fan. I read his book and found it the most boring of all tennis players books I ever read. As for off-court personality I like Novak way more than Nadal since he often speaks his mind and is not afraid to also hold controversial opinions (whether you agree with it or not), whereas Fedal basically always say what their PR agents deem best. That does not change the fact that Nadal is a great champion who currently has the slam record and looks to further widen the gap between himself and the other two on Sunday.

 

[octobrina10]

Rafa explained that the conditions are very humid and he was sweating. It was the same as in Australia shapopalov match. He informed the umpire he he will take more time.

Come on who wouldn't give some extra time to 21 gs and 13 rg winner.

I dont think he would take that much time in finals assuming its a outdoor match

You are absolutely wrong. Shapo complained that the chair umpire gave Rafa time to change his clothes during the changeover. Rafa explained at his post-match press conference that it was within the rules. Shapo doesn't know the rules!

Toilet Breaks Medical Time Outs | ATP Tour | Tennis

ATP has announced new rules relating to toilet breaks, attire changes to come into effect from 2022, in addition to a proposed change to the Medical Time Out rule (start date TBC).

www.atptour.com

I keep wondering why Rafa bashers are constanty trying to cheat readers. Is it a sign of OCD?

 

[roysid]

You are absolutely wrong. Shapo complained that the chair umpire gave Rafa time to change his clothes during the changeover. Rafa explained at his post-match press conference that it was within the rules. Shapo doesn't know the rules!

Toilet Breaks Medical Time Outs | ATP Tour | Tennis

ATP has announced new rules relating to toilet breaks, attire changes to come into effect from 2022, in addition to a proposed change to the Medical Time Out rule (start date TBC).

www.atptour.com

I keep wondering why Rafa bashers are constanty trying to cheat readers. Is it a sign of OCD?

Where i am wrong? Did u misinterpret what i told. I just told what Rafa said in his interview that the conditions of both matches were similar. And that he told the umpire he will take more time, it was shown in tv. I never told why Shapo was angry in that match. Thats altogether a different discussion.

Can u watch Rafa s interview before making such statement.

 

[DariaGT]

Good to hear your view BorgTheGOAT some more zealous freaks that think he is perfect and should not receive any criticism are the problem.
Im not sure of the other threads you mentioned but so many nasty threads during Djokovic and his lock up it is no surprise.

There is no dispute or argument that Rafa is the most exciting player to watch when he is actually playing but does not excuse been made to wait excessively.
Iga is doing one of the same Rafa things since training at the Rafa Academy with the hand gesture disrupting the server. They could easily win easily without these nasty habits.

Time is of the essence and its time we watch more tennis without waiting. However if Murray with his influence did not speak out we would have no time clock.
It is like we have to wait for Murray to get back to the top 10 to instill more changes as Shapo, Rosol and Kyrgios are like toddlers driving dodgem cars when it comes to these matters.

 

[GhostOfNKDM]

I will be very honest, and I will be blunt.

Rafael is a legend. And Iga is greatness in the making.

But, You can't tell me that they are not using delays as a strategic step. Nadal basically takes extra time on every single important point. Iga was doing it too at every duece and 30-30 point. I am sorry, but they are definitely doing it deliberately. Anyone denying this is being blind.

That's why I'm not a fan of Nadal. (By VB standards at least - which verges on idolatry)

Tremendous respect for the athlete that he is, for his skills, being an icon for the sport and generally being a good guy off court.

But there are a lot of issues that his diehard fans gloss over - the uncle obviously has disregard for fairness and rules and taught his nephew from a young age. The whole injury 'talk' before tournaments, self-serving agendas when it comes to tennis governance is all very off-putting. Not to mention there's no way he hasn't been on some vitamins in his career.

But hey, I try to appreciate the good when I see it and not focus too much on the negative. He does play popcorn worthy tennis on clay definitely.

 

[Russeljones]

I'm ignoring the claims about the rules because I know this isn't about the rules.

As for the rules, it's the umpire who makes the determinations as to when points start and stop for the purposes of the time limit.

If the umpire determines additional time should be granted, that too is in the rules by definition.

You should perhaps learn what the rules are and the mechanisms by which they are enforced if this is such a vital matter for you.

You're making excuses for gamesmanship and bad officiating.