An investigation into his love life was just what Rafael Nadal didn’t need after a shock loss to Alexander Zverev at the ATP Finals as one tennis reporter discovered when he was called out for his “bulls***” question.
The Spaniard was in a sour mood after being outclassed 6-2 6-4 in London, suffering his first defeat in six matches against Zverev as the normally ice-cool left-hander also lost his temper at the chair umpire at the end of the first set.
Already grumpy with his below-par showing at the prestigious season-ending tournament, Nadal had no time for queries about whether life as a newlywed was hampering his performance.
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Famously private when it comes to his relationship, the 33-year-old married longtime partner Mery Perello last month in a glamorous ceremony on the Spanish island of Mallorca, becoming husband and wife after nearly 15 years together.
But when a journalist asked whether Nadal’s on-court woes may have something to do with a change in his off-court situation, the 19-time major winner lost it.
Reporter: “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, distracting 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?”
Nadal: “Honestly, are you asking me this? Is a serious question or is a joke? Is it serious?”
Reporter: “It’s serious. Is not something that …”
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Nadal: “OK. I am surprised. Is a big surprise for me 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 …”
Reporter: “Wife, 30 years this year.”
Nadal: “And before? Ah, maybe before you were not so sure. That’s why. OK. We move to Spanish, because that’s bulls***. Thank you very much.”
But while the world No 1 vanquished one curious reporter, he had no such luck with Zverev. The Spanish top seed, who has never won the season-ending event, came into the tournament at London’s O2 Arena under an injury cloud and was well short of his imperious best.