Rafael Nadal had a rather convincing 2nd round at the French Open when he obliterated Mackenzie McDonald 6-1 6-0 6-3. The American player tried to do everything in his power to rattle Rafa with frequent runs at the net and drop shots. Eventually, he went also for the underarm serve, but with terrible results as Rafa smoked the brave attempt with a firing forehand.
https://twitter.com/_naterzzzz/status/1311297435868770305?s=20
Nadal and his opinion about the underarm serve
In the press conference that followed his match against Mackenzie, Rafa was asked to give an opinion about the underarm serve. The Spanish sensation confirmed his feeling that this kind of serve is not disrespectful unless it is done with the intention to disrespect the opponent. Rafa commented:
“No, it is not disrespectful. if he’s winning, is a good tactic. If he’s losing, is a bad tactic. That’s all. For example today for Mackenzie was not a good tactic. For Bublik, if that works, is a good tactic.
Is part of the game. I don’t see disrespectful or not. If you do this with the goal to win the point and to do it.Is always the same. If you do it with the goal to improve your game, or like a tactical thing, I support 100%. If you do for disrespect the opponent, is not a good thing.
Everybody knows internally if you are doing in a good way or in a bad way. For me is no discussion about that. Is part of the rules, you can do it 100% Is about yourself, if you feel good doing or not. Depends.”
Bublik and his underarm
Alexander Bublik is well-known for using his underarm serve frequently and pretty well. He recently aced Christian Garin in Hamburg and the Chilean was not very happy about that as he said that he wasn’t ready.
Thoughts on this underarm ace? đź‘Ť or đź‘Ž
📹: @TennisTV | 🇰🇿 Alexander Bublik | #HamburgOpenpic.twitter.com/klcVgbv64t
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 25, 2020
Nadal at the French Open, ranking, and results in 2020
Ranked no.2, the Spaniard has a 17-4 win-loss record in 2020. Rafael is now having a run at the French Open where he beat Egor Gerasimov 6-4 6-4 6-2 and Mackenzie Mcdonald 6-1 6-0 6-3.
Rafael Nadal will face Travaglia in the 3rd round. In the past, they have never played each other until now in top competitions.
Nadal conquered 1 title in 2020 in Acapulco.
The Spaniard won 85 titles in his career: 21 on hard courts, 59 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 4 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Mackenzie Mcdonald in 2020
Ranked world no.236, Mackenzie played his last match on the 30th of September when he was overcome by Rafael Nadal 6-1 6-0 6-3 in the 2nd round of the French Open.
Rafael Nadal and Mackenzie Mcdonald played each other once. The head to head is 1-0 for Nadal. When they played, Rafael Nadal won 6-1 6-0 6-3 in the 2nd round in Paris (French Open) on the 30th of September 2020.
