Angry Rafael Nadal blasted French Open scheduling as a “joke” on Friday and claimed he was being treated unfairly.
The seven-time champion had his second round tie against Slovakia’s Martin Kliznan, which was the third match on the Court Suzanne Lenglen schedule on Thursday, cancelled as rain swamped Roland Garros.
He then played first up on Friday, completing a 4-6 6-3 6-3 6-3 win in almost three hours.
But he now faces having to play again on Saturday despite opponent Italian Fabio Fognini having finished his second-round match on Thursday afternoon.
Nadal was furious that on a day when the weather forecast had been especially gloomy, he was scheduled to follow one men’s match and a women’s singles.
“The schedule was wrong, it was a bad decision,” said Nadal.
Thursday had the worst weather interruptions of the week with barely five hours of action possible and with just over half the program completed.
Nadal was further incensed when he was told that Fognini had been given an earlier start time on Court Three because he and his opponent Lukas Rosol had doubles to play.
Fognini and Rosol had gone on court just after noon on Thursday after Jelena Jankovic had needed just an hour to finish off her women’s singles match.
“Today I was playing three hours while my opponent was in the locker room watching TV,” added Nadal.
“I cannot play third when my opponent has played second.
“The excuse they gave me was that they had to play doubles, but that’s a joke.
“In that case I should sign up for doubles. Sorry, but you can play doubles next week.”
Nadal also said it was unfair that on days when the weather is poor that men, who play best-of-five sets in the Grand Slams, are made to play second to women, who still play best-of-three.
“It’s not right and I hope they realise their mistake.”
Nadal is constantly wary of his schedule having missed seven months of action with a knee injury.
Since his return, he has won six titles in eight finals.
However, he has struggled this week in the cold, damp conditions, dropping the first set in both of his opening round matches.
“The only thing I can do is smile and be positive and be ready for tomorrow.”
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Nadal had the easier route in the 2012 Wimbledon draw? Do you know anything about tennis? Nadal was drawn in Murray's half. Murray's a fair better grass court player than Djokovic Djokovic bagged a lucky Wimbledon title in 2011, he's never looked like making a final before 2011 at Wimbledon
aussie sports lover
Guest
Nadal whinges about tournament scheduling...gee what's new? Maybe the tournament officials should discuss how much time he is taking between points.
Lancey5times
Guest
yes yes yes
reality bites
Guest
FTR 50% of the players had to reschedule matches. If Nadal was scheduled for an 11am match (unheard of for a marquee player), and he had to sit out the whole day due to a rain delay, imagine what he would have said. I'm not sure what he wants from the officials.
reality bites
Guest
What you are saying, and what Nadal is asking for is preferential treatment. This is the same Nadal that wanted a two year ranking period, which would benefit him due to the clay court season, but would make it very tough for lower ranked players to make any inroads. In terms of Federer's 'easier passage' the guy played a 5 set match against Simon last night. He next faces the tournaments form player, Tsonga. That's 3 top French players in row, on home soil, all of whom have beaten Fed in the recent past. Hardly an easy passage. Federer has not had preferential treatment at Wimbledon. Guess who he played last year in the semis? Djokovic. Nadal had the easy passage last year but was beaten by Rosol.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Nadal is 55-1 at Roland Garros with 7 titles He's got 41 titles on clay. He's the star attraction on clay court tennis. So he deserves better treatment. Do you ever see Federer getting dodgy treatment at Wimbledon? No.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
It had been a while since i had heard a spaniard complaining about the french anti-spanish conspiracy theory. In every competition of every sport players dont have the same rest period as others, particularly when the weather plays a role. Show me a tournament, grand slam or not, in whihc players have exactly the same rest between rounds. It never happens and Nadal knows that.
FTR
Guest
Poor show by the French. Wimbledon conduct their tournament impeccably - I don't understand why all the other Slams don't follow their lead.
Lancey5times
Guest
How does the result have anything to do with fair or unfair treatment? Aren't we talking about scheduling? This is starting to look pretty bad for you. Head outside and enjoy your weekend.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
2011 Federer destroyed Djokovic in the semis, so Federer was hardly unfairly treated. Djokovic beat Federer in 2012. So it's 1-1.
reality bites
Guest
'The French Open all ways gives Federer the easier passage.' Not true, remember in 2011 and 2012 Federer played Djokovic in the semi finals? Hardly an easy passage. This year Federer has faced Benneteau (who beat him this year) and will likely face Tsonga, who is one of Federer's toughest opponents. If anything the French Open organisers continue to treat Nadal with kid gloves. They systematically refuse to enforce the 20 second rule, which he ignores in each point of every match. Nadal's outburst is poor form, the guy needs to practice what he preaches and show some humility.
Lancey5times
Guest
This 'easier passage' for Federer doesn't seem to have impacted on Rafa too much until now. He's pretty familiar with that trophy. That aside, I do agree that the 5 set men's draw should get priority and doubles should under no circumstances dictate the schedule. The weather in Paris throws up enough spanners. The number 1 seeds side of the draw should play first which in this case would have been Rafas side anyway
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Totally agree with Nadal. You only have to look at Wimbledon, Australian Open and US Open, where the defending champion's half of the draw plays first. The French Open all ways gives Federer the easier passage. Nadal should be given more respect, he has 7 French Opens. No one else can boast that.