John McEnroe’s criticism of Rafael Nadal’s French Open treatment supported by legendary coach
Top tennis coach Brad Gilbert has backed John McEnroe by arguing Rafael Nadal should have been seeded at the 2024 French Open.
The former world No 4, who coaches WTA star Coco Gauff, believes Nadal deserved to be seeded around 20th so he could have the chance to work his way into the tournament.
Nadal, a 14-time Roland Garros champion, was unseeded this year due to his current ranking of world No 275 and this meant he could face any player in the opening round.
Some feel an exception should have been made to award the Spanish legend a spot as one of the 32 seeded players given his remarkable history at the clay-court Grand Slam.
This did not happen, though, and Nadal was drawn to face world No 4 Alexander Zverev — one of the toughest opponents possible — in the opening round.
The 37-year-old was beaten 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 by Zverev in a competitive encounter on Monday in what could be his final match at the French Open.
Read More: Rafael Nadal: Former stars believe Spaniard may not have played his last French Open match
After the draw was made, seven-time Grand Slam singles champion McEnroe questioned the decision to let Nadal be an unseeded player.
“It makes no sense that someone who has won 14 times is not seeded. It is the way the tournament has always acted. For me, it is crazy,” the former world No 1 told the media at Roland Garros.
“It is the most interesting first round of a Major that I remember and the most tough [in the] Open Era for someone like Nadal.”
Following Nadal’s loss to Zverev, Gilbert agreed with McEnroe’s claim and suggested the Mallorcan’s result at Roland Garros could have been very different had he been seeded.
“Didn’t see a lot of Vamos-Rafa match, definitely had chances in second set, still feel like he deserved to be seeded like 20th and could work [his] way into tournament who knows about what the result could have been, just my two cents,” wrote the American.
Didn’t see a lot of Vamos-Rafa match definitely had chances in 2nd set, still feel like he deserved to be seeded like 20th and could work way into tournament ️ who knows about the what the result could have been, just my 2 cents
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) May 27, 2024
Nadal has revealed he is unlikely to compete at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, but he is planning to play at the Paris Olympics.
Read More: Rafael Nadal’s Olympic Games record – as he sets sights on Paris 2024
