'Rafael Nadal wasn't ready' - Becker backs 'right' Denis Shapovalov over time-wasting fury at Australian Open

Boris Becker has backed Denis Shapovalov after his angry rant at both Rafael Nadal and the umpire during their fiery quarter-final at the Australian Open. Absolutely livid at what he felt was the 2009 champion at Melbourne Park's constant time-wasting, the Canadian flew into an angry exchange with the umpire where he accused the official of being «corrupt». Ad/> With a 1-0 lead in the second set, having lost the opener 6-3, Shapovalov yelled at the umpire for not handing Nadal a code violation for taking too much time between points.

Australian Open'Amazing that Nadal could do what Federer did' — McEnroe34 MINUTES AGO While Becker acknowledged that Nadal, along with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, has «earned a certain status», he said that Shapovalov was correct with his reaction to the apparent rule-breaking. «If the umpire strictly follows the rules, Shapovalov is right,» Becker told Eurosport Germany's 'Matchball Becker' show. «The server decides how fast you play.

Nadal was not ready to return within 45 seconds. »But players like Nadal and also Djokovic or Federer have earned a certain status — nevertheless, you have to follow up on that." The exchange with the No. 14 seed and the umpire, as Nadal watched on from the other side of the court having not been ready to begin the game, unravelled as follows: Shapovalov: «You started the clock like 45 seconds ago and he is not ready to play.

You started the clock like so long ago and he is still not ready to play. You've gotta code him.» Umpire: «Yeah. I code him now, now you are not ready to play?» Shapovalov: «Code him!» Umpire: «For what?» Shapovalov: «He's not ready to play!» Umpire: «Yeah but you are not ready to play, because you came to talk to me.» Shapovalov: