Rafael Nadal caused a scandal during the match of the 2nd round of the Masters in Madrid, against the Australian Alex De Minor. At one point in the match, he got into an argument with referee Fergus Murphy. When the Spaniard was leading 2:0 in the first set, the referee did not allow him a challenge, because Nadal did not request it as he should have. Because of this, a discussion began, after which the “Bull from Majorca” did not want to continue.
The Madrid fans, of course, were on Rafa’s side and booed the referee during the fracas. The match was then continued, and the Spaniard won the first set after an hour and 13 minutes of fierce fighting against the currently 11th player in the world.
All over the world, fans commented on this scene, and some remembered the fact that the ATP even received the “Sportsman of the Year” award five times, named after Stefan Edberg, in the selection of the Association of Tennis Players (ATP). Novak Djokovic has never received this award.
Watch Rafa’s feud with Judge Murphy:
