“Annoying and unhygienic”: Ball kids handing towel to Rafael Nadal due to ATP reverting to pre-pandemic rule angers journalist

Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg recently expressed his anger as ball kids handed the towel to Rafael Nadal between the points because the ATP reverted to a pre-pandemic-era rule. Now the ball kids will hand towels to the players in between the points in an attempt to increase the pace of the game.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ATP ruled that players will not be handed towels in between the points to reduce the contact between the players and ball kids and curb the spread of the virus.

The rule has now been reverted and the players will be handed the towel by the ball kid. This rule change is due to another rule being put into place, the shot clock rule, which means that a 25-second clock will begin as soon as the point ends rather than after the umpire declares the score. The player must be ready to serve before the time runs out.

Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg was not a fan of the role change and he expressed his dissatisfaction on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

One fan questioned:

"What’s this nonsense of ballkids bringing Rafa his towel at this event?"

Rothenberg acquainted the fan with the change in rule, expressing his disappointment.

"ATP went back to pre-pandemic towel rules after Wimbledon, it’s quite annoying and unhygienic," Rothenberg replied.

A rule change did not affect Rafael Nadal much as he booked his place in the semifinal at the Nordea Open. This is his first semifinal since Wimbledon 2022, from which he withdrew. The Spaniard tussled hard for four hours before emerging victorious against Mariano Navone 6-7(2), 7-5, 7-5.

Rafael Nadal: "I’m alive and I’m in the semifinals."

Rafael Nadal at the 2024 French Open (Source: GETTY)

Rafael Nadal said during his on-court interview that he was delighted to hold his fitness during a four-hour quarterfinal encounter at the Nordea Open.

The 38-year-old accepted that he lost his concentration during the match but was happy that he won regardless. The Spaniard also thanked the fans for their support in Bastad.

“No I wasn’t focused during the whole time. I was up 5-2, so I lost for some moments the concentration. I was able to hold physically till the end. Let’s see how I am tomorrow. Today, I’m alive and I’m in the semifinals. So that’s super important. I can’t thank enough all the support here in Bastad,” he said in the on-court interview.

Rafael Nadal will take on Duje Ajdukovic in the semifinals at Nordea Open. He also teamed up with Casper Ruud for doubles and the duo will take on Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos in the semifinals on July 20.