Tennis Big 3 (Photo : REUTERS)
Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer were both unhappy to learn that a chair umpire was banned from officiating Rafael Nadal matches at the behest of the Spaniard, believing ATP's approval on Nadal's request could affect the decision-making of other umpires in future matches.
Djokovic, the top-seed and overwhelming favorite to win this year's Roland Garros after a flawless campaign throughout the clay-court season, expressed his dismay after ATP agreed on Nadal's petition to ban Carlos Bernardes from umpiring his matches.
The Serb admitted that there were times he felt not getting a fair shake from several umpires, though he would never go to the point of requesting to ban these officials. At the end of the day, he believes umpires are still human who can have a bad day.
"There are some chair umpires in some matches that I remember that I wasn't very happy with how they did their job," the Serb told reporters via Sky Sports. "But I never thought of requesting a chair umpire not to be a chair umpire in my matches. I don't think that's fair. I don't think that's fair to them.
Federer, meanwhile, tried to give a diplomatic take on the matter, believing it's an issue that should stay between Nadal and the ATP. However, the Swiss agreed on the fact that Bernardes banning could affect the decision of umpires, especially those assigned to officiate Nadal's matches in the future.
"True. That's why I said it is a situation they need to figure out. It goes back to the same thing that everybody is making requests regarding when they want to play...I want to play Sunday, I want to play Monday, etc.; the players should understand that not every request can be granted. At the end of the day, you can make a request, but that doesn't mean you are going to get that," Federer stressed via Tennic Tonic.
Nadal, who punched his ticket to the third round with a straight set win over compatriot Nicolas Almagro 6-4, 6-3, 6-1, explained the reasons behind his request to prevent Bernardes from umpiring his match, saying it stemmed from an incident in Rio de Janeiro in which he believed the umpire wasn't respectful enough.
Bernardes served as the umpire in Nadal's first-round conquest of Quentin Halys 6-3 6-3 6-4 at the French Open, but Nadal wasn't pleased of seeing him again, telling him "better for both of us if we are not (on a) court at the same time for a while" at the end of the match.
