Incredible moment tennis star unleashes about Rafael Nadal’s on-court time-wasting

Incredible moment Canadian tennis star Denis Shapovalov accuses Australian Open chair umpire of being CORRUPT for allowing opponent Rafael Nadal

  • Canadian tennis star Denis Shapovalov lost his cool at the Australian Open
  • Accused chair umpire of being corrupt mid-match versus Spain’s Rafael Nadal 
  • Nadal then attempted to diffuse the ugly turn of events with the fiery young gun 


Canadian tennis star Denis Shapovalov imploded on court at the Australian Open, accusing a veteran chair umpire of being corrupt.

The extraordinary outburst occurred during the young gun’s quarter final showdown on centre court against Rafael Nadal on Tuesday afternoon.

Nadal notoriously takes his time between his service action, and he clearly enraged the 14th seed at Melbourne Park. 

Shapovalov was fed up with his opponents perceived special treatment, stating to chair umpire Carlos Bernardes ‘You’re looking at the clock so long ago and he’s still not ready to play,’ he said. 

You’ve gotta code him.’

Bernardes wasn’t interested in Shapovalov’s gripe, and was quick to fire back with: ‘He’s (Nadal) not ready to play.’

Canadian tennis star Denis Shapovalov (pictured) imploded on court at the Australian Open, accusing a chair umpire of being corrupt on Tuesday in his match versus Rafael Nadal

As tension mounted on court during their quarter-final, Rafael Nadal (pictured right) attempted to calm his opponent down

As tension mounted on court during their quarter-final, Rafael Nadal (pictured right) attempted to calm his opponent down

Shapovalov: ‘Are you kidding me? You are all corrupt’.

Spanish star Nadal then tried to diffuse the situation, as the level of tension quickly rose.

Aussie tennis great Todd Woodbridge said Nadal showed all his experience in the fiery showdown. 

‘Rafa walked up with authority as if to say, ‘Now son, come here’ and put his hand out gently as to say, ‘We don’t have issues. You just get back there and play and we’ll get it all done’,’ he said in commentary on Channel Nine.

‘It was like a senior diffusing moment. A lot of other players would’ve gone a lot hotter a lot quicker than Rafa did.’

Fellow commentator and two-time Australian Open winner Jim Courier was stunned by Shapovalov’s outburst.

‘That’s not going to ingratiate him to the chair umpire either, not making any friends out her,’ he told free to air viewers.

Nadal is battling to stay alive in the match, which has come down to a five set thriller.  

14th seed Shapovalov shocked third seed Alexander Zverev of Germany in their match on Sunday at Melbourne Park

14th seed Shapovalov shocked third seed Alexander Zverev of Germany in their match on Sunday at Melbourne Park