- Rafael Nadal was given a time penalty at the Brisbane International
- Was four seconds late after a bathroom break after the first set
- The Spanish star joked after the match that he will work on his punctuality
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Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal has always been an entertainer – and he sent the crowd into a frenzy after explaining why he committed a strange time violation during his impressive win against local hope Jason Kubler at the Brisbane International.
Nadal, 37, was just four seconds late after a toilet break at the end of the first set during his round of 16 on Thursday night – and was visibly shaken after chair umpire Arnaud Gabas officially warned him on court when he returned.
In hilarious post-match scenes, Nadal told on-field commentator Adam Peacock that he will work on his punctuality.
“I think it was something strange (happening) because I know I have five minutes… Brisbane is very humid,” he told Pat Rafter Arena after his 6-1 6-2 win.
“I had to replace every piece (of my clothing)… it takes a while.
Rafael Nadal had the crowd in stitches on Thursday after explaining why he had committed a time violation during his impressive victory against Jason Kubler at the Brisbane International
Despite the heavy penalty for time violation, Nadal was clinical in his straight-set win
'In the walkie-talkie they called me for three minutes, two minutes, a minute, half a minute, I came out at the right time.
'But I don't know if the guy who was with me a few seconds later told the referee that I was four seconds late.
'I thought I was on time, but then he told me I was four seconds late. I'm slow, I know that, and I have to keep trying to improve myself in 2024.'
Australian tennis great Wally Masur told Channel Seven viewers that no different rules should apply to Nadal, despite his stature in the sport.
“Rules are rules, you can't bend them for anyone,” he said.
Nadal, who plays his final Australian Open at Melbourne Park later this month, returns to the Pat Rafter Arena on Friday evening (9pm, AEDT) where he will face Aussie Jordan Thompson for a place in the semi-finals.
Thompson will be feeling fresh after French fourth seed Ugo Humbert withdrew from their round of 16 match on Thursday, reportedly struggling with a bout of gastro.