• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Sport

Nadal steps over the mark as he gives Sonego a dressing down

4 July 2022, 6:16 AM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
Spain's Rafael Nadal in action during his third round match against Italy's Lorenzo Sonego.

Spain's Rafael Nadal in action during his third round match against Italy's Lorenzo Sonego.

Image: Reuters

Spain's Rafael Nadal in action during his third round match against Italy's Lorenzo Sonego.

Playing Rafael Nadal on clay is considered to be one of the most frustrating challenges in tennis. On Saturday’s evidence, playing him on grass can be just as infuriating – just ask Lorenzo Sonego.

The Italian had boldly talked up his chances of halting the Spaniard’s charge towards a rare calendar-year Grand Slam by declaring “Grass is the best surface to meet him.”

The 27th seed was left with egg on his face, and a public reprimand, after being on the receiving end of a 6-1 6-2 6-4 hammering that mercifully lasted only two hours.

While Wimbledon has not been a happy hunting ground for the 2008 and 2010 champion on many occasions, with Nadal losing to unheralded opponents within the first two rounds in 2012, 2013 and 2014, any hopes that Sonego had in adding his name to that list of little-known conquerors were brutally quashed.

Nadal dazzled in just about every department on Saturday.

His serve was on fire as he lost only two points on his delivery that too through double faults in the opening set.

He turned mishits into winners and his usually troublesome feet, which required anaesthetic injections to carry him to a 14th French Open title last month, seemed to have found a new lease of life as he raced around Centre Court.

But Saturday’s showdown will not be remembered for any of that.

Instead it will be remembered for the one moment when, like a stern headmaster, a clearly irritated Nadal beckoned Sonego to the net and gave him an earful about the etiquette of tennis in front of 15 000 wide-eyed fans and a global audience of millions.

And what exactly had upset the usually calm and polite Spaniard?

A loud grunt made by Sonego in the middle of a rally in the eighth game of the third set seemed to have tipped Nadal over the edge, especially since the Spaniard ended up losing his serve for the first, and only, time in the match.

That ticking off was followed up by another lengthy exchange at the net once Nadal had wrapped up the win, with a visibly upset Sonego trying to understand exactly what he had done wrong.

But once they stepped off court, Nadal was quick to own up to his mistake.

“I have to say that I was wrong. I should not (have) called him to the net. So I apologise for that. My mistake… I recognise that,” said the 36-year-old, who will next face Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, as he looks to move another step closer to a 23rd major title following his triumphs in Melbourne Park and Roland Garros this year.

Share article
Tags: TennisRafael NadalLorenzo Sonego
Previous Post

Ukraine withdraws from battered Lysychansk city; Russia claims major victory

Next Post

African Cup of Nations finals moved to January 2024

Related Posts

Rugby ball on the field

Springboks promise to keep working hard in order to replicate Mbombela’s exploits

8 August 2022, 7:37 PM
England players celebrate with their bronze medals on the podium REUTERS

England men’s hockey defeat SA to win their third consecutive Commonwealth bronze medal

8 August 2022, 4:34 PM
The All Blacks perform the Haka.

‘No point sulking’: Foster faces up to All Blacks criticism

8 August 2022, 7:09 AM
Gold medallists Australia celebrate on the podium during the medal ceremony.

Australia beat India for T20 cricket gold but big winner was the sport

8 August 2022, 12:21 AM
Erling Halaand celebrating with team-mates after scoring a goal

Deadly Haaland strikes twice to give Man City win at West Ham

7 August 2022, 8:52 PM
Daryl Impey

Image: Reuters

Daryl Impey bags a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games

7 August 2022, 8:34 PM
Next Post
Football player playing with the ball.

African Cup of Nations finals moved to January 2024

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • Transnet seizes assets worth more than R20 million from employees
  • Godrich Gardee accuses Eswatini King of orchestrating his daughter’s murder
  • SA government responds to damning statement made by Eswatini spokesperson
  • Mabuyane confirms receipt of eNyobeni Tavern victims’ results
  • Major crash involving several vehicles on N3 to KZN
  • Ramaphosa given 48 hours to step aside
  • Mogalakwena Municipality in Limpopo directed to terminate appointment of more than 400 workers
  • Actress Busisiwe Lurayi has passed away
  • Miss SA Lalela Mswane crowned Miss Supranational 2022
  • EFF’s planned national shutdown won’t be an ordinary one: Malema

LATEST

KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC, Nomusa Dube-Ncube speaking at an event.
  • Politics

ANC in KZN nominates Nomusa Dube-Ncube to succeed Sihle Zikalala as Premier


A weekly look at tech innovations and its impact.
  • SABC News Features
  • Sci-tech
  • Features

TECH IMPACT: Cybercrime and emerging technologies growing threats to SA’s banking sector


A person seen working on a tar road.
  • Potholes repair focus

Operation Vala Zonke will be closely monitored to ensure integrity, accountability: Mbalula


Rugby ball on the field
  • Sport
  • Rugby

Springboks promise to keep working hard in order to replicate Mbombela’s exploits


US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, accompanied by SA  International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor
  • World

South Africa remains a strategic partner on African continent: Blinken


Flowers are laid outside to honour the young people who died at Enyobeni Tavern in Scenery Park, East London.
  • Enyobeni Tragedy
  • South Africa

eNyobeni tavern tragedy theft suspects denied bail


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Ukraine withdraws from battered Lysychansk city; Russia claims major victory
Next African Cup of Nations finals moved to January 2024