LONDON: The founder of Ubitennis has insisted that he meant no harm after asking Rafael Nadal a question that the Spaniard branded as ‘bullshit’ at the ATP Finals on Monday evening.
Ubaldo Scanagatta, who has worked at more than 150 grand slam tournaments, asked the world No.1 if his latest performance on the tour was linked to his recent marriage. Nadal lost his opening match at the ATP Finals to Alexander Zverev in straight sets. Against his German rival, he failed to generate a single break point opportunity despite winning all five of their previous meetings on the tour.
“It is a big surprise for me (that) you ask me this after I have been with the same girl for 15 years and having a very stable and normal life. Doesn’t matter if you put a ring on your finger or not. In my personal way, I am a very normal guy.” Nadal said in response to Scanagatta’s question.
Bemused by the question, he went on to ask the Italian journalist how long he had been with his wife. Then swiftly shut down the interaction between him and Scanagatta.
“We move to Spanish (question) because that’s bulls***. Thank you very much.” He snapped.
Following their exchange in the press room at The O2 Arena, the Ubitennis creator hit back at Nadal is his daily round-up video. Arguing that it was a legitimate question to ask because marriage is a significant milestone for many in their lives.
“I think he should excuse himself because I wasn’t rude.” He said. “My question was very innocent and I really don’t understand that kind of answer.”
Nadal has always been very secretive when it comes to his personal life and relationship with Xisca. In the lead up to his extravagant wedding, few details were disclosed to the public. One Mallorcan newspaper reported that those working at the wedding were required to sign a confidentiality agreement.
The ATP Finals is Nadal’s first tournament since withdrawing from the Paris Masters due to an abdominal injury. Despite his loss to Zverev, the world No.1 has insisted that physically he is feeling good. As well as his first title at the event at stake, he is also locked in a battle with nemesis Novak Djokovic for the year-end top spot.
Nadal will return to action on Wednesday when he plays Daniil Medvedev. He has defeated the Russian twice this year, including their epic clash in the final of the US Open.
The full exchange
US: “Tonight you were playing very short many times. I don’t know why, because you’re not used to that. I’d like to know, for many people to get married is a very important distracted thing before the marriage, during the marriage, after the marriage. I’d like to know if somehow your concentration on tennis life has been a bit different, even if you were going out with the same girl for many, many years.”
RN: “Honestly are you asking me this? Is a serious question or is a joke? Is it serious?”
US: “It’s serious. Is not something that…”
RN: “Okay. I surprise, is a big surprise for me (that) you ask me this after I have been with the same girl for 15 years and having a very stable and normal life. Doesn’t matter if you put a ring on your finger or not. In my personal way, I am a very normal guy. Maybe for you was – how many years have you been with your (partner)?”
US: “Wife, 30 years this year.”
RN: “And before? Ah, maybe before you were not sure. That’s why. Okay. Okay. We move to Spanish, because that’s bulls***. Thank you very much.”
NOTE TO OUR READERS – In reference to the exchange that occurred between myself and Rafael Nadal during the press conference following his first match, I have had a clarifying meeting after his win against Medvedev. We both have acknowledged the reasons that led to the misunderstanding and the subsequent exchange of unpleasant words, mainly due to our imperfect knowledge of the English language. This is it. We’ll turn the page, for everyone’s satisfaction, and Nadal and I maintain the mutual respect that has always been a cornerstone of our relationship. Our readers are naturally free to form their own opinion on this event, but at this stage, any further comment would appear unnecessary. Thank you for your attention. (Ubaldo Scanagatta)
