The Spanish tennis player Rafa Nadal consider that Novak Djokovic, which as world number one is “a reference for many children”, should avoid attitudes like the one shown in the Tokyo Olympics in the match that faced the Spanish Pablo Carreño.
At a press conference on the occasion of his participation in the Citi Open de Washington, his return to the competition from Roland Garros, Nadal told, to questions from EFE, that he did not see that match but has already congratulated Carreño, a bronze medalist after beating the Serbian.
“I am very happy for him and also for Spain,” said Nadal, who considered that this victory will be recorded by Carreño “for the rest of his life” because it is “an unforgettable moment.”
He added that winning a medal at the Olympics – he has two golds, one in singles in Beijing and another in doubles in Rio – is something “very special.”
As for Djokovic, who at one point in the game angrily threw his racket into the stands, Nadal regretted the Serbian’s attitude.
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“Luckily there were no people in the stands and nothing else happened, but hey, they are things that happen from time to time,” said the Spaniard, who considered that it is necessary to “try to avoid them.”
He recalled in this sense that when these things happen “the image is not the best” and also pointed out that depending on “how severe the punishments are” in the organization of sporting events are “more permissive or more forceful.”
The image is not the best, they are things to try to avoid
In the case of the Serbian, he appreciated that he apologized later but insisted that “it is important to avoid this type of situation, and more” on the part of someone like Djokovic, “a reference for many children, in the end he is number one in the world and one of the best in history. “
“It is strange that someone, being so successful, reacts in this way from time to time, but in the end he is very competitive and reacts like that,” he added.
It’s strange, but in the end Djokovic is very competitive and reacts like that
