Rafael Nadal takes dig at arch-rival Novak Djokovic's temper after US Open disaster

'King of Clay' Rafael Nadal is latest in a string of prominent tennis players to comment on disqualification of vak Djokovic from US Open 2020. Speaking to reporters ahead of his second-round match with compatriot Pablo Carre Busta in Rome, Nadal took a dig at World .1. He was reported as saying that it is important to have right self-control while on court.

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Rafa returns to Rome for title defence

Rafael Nadal will be seen playing at Rome Masters after an extended break of over five and a half months. Choosing to sit out  hardcourt season over Coronavirus fears, Rafa last played at Mexican Open, where he won title on March 1 2020. He was w returned to court to start out clay season, doubt, his favourite surface. Nadal will mount his title defence at Rome Masters ATP 1000 event on September 15. At present, he has a record nine titles at this event. Ranked .2, Rafa has received a bye in first round of tournament, along with . 1 vak Djokovic, and a few or players ranked within top 10. With arch-rival Roger Federer sitting out this tournament as well, all predictions point to ar massive Rafa-Djokovic final. As of w, Djokovic leads h2h 29-26, though figures tilt substantially in favour of Nadal while on clay 17-7. 

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Rafael Nadal sympathises with Djoko over US Open 2020 default 

Though Nadal has questioned vak Djokovic's temperament at  US Open, he did admit that  World . 1 was unlucky. Djokovic was booted out of US Open 2020 after he accidentally hit a line judge with a ball.  Spaniard also said that consequences for physically harming a line-judge or any or official or audience member in course of a match, have always been always same. "thing new on that" he commented. "vak was unlucky. rules clearly say that's a default. Sorry for him. He had an opportunity re. But in some ways, you should t be doing this." added 19-time Grand Slam winner. Nadal's uncle and ex-coach Toni Nadal had also expressed similar sentiments towards Djokovic in a recent interview. Djokovic had been favourite to win US Open 2020 in absence of his greatest rivals, Nadal and Federer. After his default, Austria's Dominic Thiem claimed title - his first-ever Grand Slam. 

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Im Credits: AP