Rafael Nadal Against 25-Second Rule

Written by: Staff on 13th February 2013

Rafael Nadal Against 25-Second Rule

epa03580539 Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal speaks during a press conference at the Brasil Open 2013 tennis tournament in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 12 February 2013. The tournament takes place from 11 February through 17 February 2013 in Sao Paulo. EPA/Sebastiao Moreira |

Rafael Nadal has come out against the ATP’s new enforcement of the 25 seconds between serves rule. The Spaniard has a reputation as being one of the slowest players on tour and while another notoriously slow player, No. 1 Novak Djokovic, has accepted the rule, Nadal has not.

“People want to see long matches, competitive rallies and amazing shots,” Nadal said at a press conference for the Sao Paolo tournament, where he is competing this week. “For me to play in a high level for four hours, I need more than 25 seconds. I don’t think players are happy with the new rule. The umpire will have to decide when to follow it or not. Because if it’s something mathematical, it will harm the fans.”

Nadal, who is playing his first three tournaments of the year on clay, once again criticized the preponderance of hard court tournaments on the circuit.

“I find hard courts the worst for the body,” he said. “You don’t see soccer players playing on hard fields, or any other sports with aggressive moments. They’re the most harming. [But] I don’t think a change to more clay and grass tournaments will be possible in my generation. The ATP needs to be more careful to prolong their player’s careers. I want to be able to still practice sports after I retire. Tennis careers are very important, but life is more.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: 25 second tennis rule, ATP tennis news, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Spanish tennis news, Sports, Tennis News