John McEnroe has hit back after Rafael Nadal had requested for talks with the American star at this week's US Open. Nadal was responding to claims McEnroe made about the Spanish star receiving special treatment from umpires for how long he takes in between each shot.
A defensive Nadal though was less than impressed, insisting the periods are down to the fact he sweats more than many other of his ATP Tour rivals. The 22-time Grand Slam champion had McEnroe's comments put to him following his first round US Open win over Rinky Hijikata.
Responding, Nadal told reporters: "I think it's a joke. I went through a lot of warnings through my tennis career and never for breaking a racket or for doing a mess on court. But yes I have for the time clock.
"The problem for players like me who are sweating a lot, you know when you go to pick up the towel you will be in trouble with the time, so I'm not going very often. I am following the rules. If I am having more than 25 seconds I receive a warning every single time."
Revealing that he wanted a chat with the American great, he added: "If not, check the clock. I don't think I'm receiving different treatment at all. I don't understand why John can say that on the TV but I am going to have a chat with him later.”
McEnroe though has now had his say, and believes he has been 'thrown under the bus' after the line of questioning was put to the Spaniard post-match. "Why did they throw me under the bus?” he said. "We haven’t had that talk. But let me just add that he didn’t let me finish, whoever that dumb journalist was.
"Rafael Nadal is entitled to do whatever the hell he wants. That’s part of why you get as good as you are. You’ve got to deal with that - and it’s not up to him.We all know that he’s been doing this for the past 10 or 15 years. There’s nothing new to that.
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"It’s not his call - it’s the umpire’s. By the way I think it’s BS anyway, that thing. No one pays attention to that. It should be automatic if you’re actually going to do it, right.
“When do they turn it on? When do they do it? Is it at the end of the point, is it when they get to the towel, is it when the crowd comes down? Now Nadal thinks I said that his legacy has been stained because he takes too much time. Jiminy Cricket.”
