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Nadal I Asked the ATP For Bernardes Not to Umpire my Matches
http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Rafael-Nadal-I-Asked-the-ATP-For-Bernardes-Not-to-Umpire-my-Matches-articolo24126.htmlRafael Nadal was calm and relaxed when he reached his first post-match press conference in Paris after having beaten French qualifier Quentin Halys. On the other side of the room there are kids climbing the bushes, showing a poster: "There is only one king of clay and it is not Djoko, but Rafa Nadal!". Rafael smiles to the kids and shows his thumb in appreciation.
Speaking of the match Nadal said:
"I think I played well. He was hitting the ball very hard, full power and when it gets in there is nothing you can do. As soon as the speed wasn't to the maximum level I managed to stay in the rallies and I think I did well. He can have a bright future ahead, he has everything you need to play at an high level".
Then the 9-time French Open champion put an end to the "Bernardes Affair" starring himself and chair umpire Carlos Bernardes. There were rumors saying that Bernardes was not going to be allowed to umpire in Nadal's matches, and today in Paris the confirmation arrived directly from Rafael himself.
"Yes, I asked the ATP for Bernardes not to umpire my matches. I have nothing against him as a person and I don't think he is not good at doing his job, is just that for our relationship it is better we take a break and don't see one another on court. When you have problems always with the same umpire it is better to take a break. In Rio de Janeiro he just didn't respect me. He gave me code violations on timing four times, but most importantly at one point I realized I had put my shorts the wrong way around. So I went to him to ask if I could take 20 seconds to change my shorts and put them the right way. He said that I could, but that he would give me a warning for time violation. I don't think that shows respect and thus I asked the ATP not to have him on court for a while. I am not saying he will never umpire my matches anymore, just now we need to have a break. I really like him as a person, don't take me wrong, is just that for now it is better like this".
Next Nadal will play Nicolas Almagro to reach the third round at the French Open.