RAFAEL NADAL was left confused by the “strange” punishment he received at the Brisbane International on Thursday.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion was given a time violation warning during his second round victory over Jason Kubler.
Nadal was penalised by the umpire after returning late to the court after a trip to the toilet.
He had been in good spirits as he jogged back onto the court moments earlier, though, before smiling and laughing as the umpire announced the violation.
Speaking after the match, Nadal explained: “Well, I think it was something strange because I know I have five minutes.
“Honestly, Brisbane is very humid and I had to change every single piece (of clothing).
“Takes a while and then honestly in the walkie talkie they were calling me ‘three minutes, two minutes, 1 minute, half a minute’ and I came out at the right time but probably I don’t know if the guy who was with me there said a few seconds later to the umpire that I was… he told me four seconds later, I don’t know.
“I thought I was on time honestly, then he told me I was four seconds late.
“I don’t know if it was me, I don’t think so in that time but something happened in that period of time but I am slow, I know that and I’m going to keep trying to improve in 2024.”
Tennis fans loved Nadal’s reaction to the incident on social media, with one commenting: “He is just too easy to love.”
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Another also added: “Such a nice attitude. No blaming, no drama. I loved that.”
The punishment did little to deter Nadal as he went on to defeat Kubler 6-1, 6-2 and set up a last eight meeting with Jordan Thompson.
Victory against the Australian on Friday will see Nadal into the semi-finals, where Grigor Dimitrov awaits.
Nadal is making his long-awaited return in Brisbane after missing almost a year with a hip injury suffered at last year’s Australian Open.
The 37-year-old has since slipped to 672nd in the world rankings but is now stepping up his preparations for the year’s first Grand Slam.
He will be in next Thursday’s draw for the tournament, which gets underway three days later on January 14.
