Rafael Nadal has hit out at a “joke” accusation from John McEnroe in the aftermath of his first-round victory over Rinky Hijikata.
Four-time champion Nadal overcame dropping the first set to defeat the Australian wildcard
4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.
The 36-year-old Spaniard, who is chasing a 23rd Grand Slam title and third of 2022, next faces Fabio Fognini.
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But first, Nadal responded to an accusation from McEnroe, who suggested in commentary that the Spaniard gets preferential treatment from the tour umpires.
When told of the comment by a journalist at the post-match press conference, Nadal was less than impressed.
“I think it’s a joke,” Nadal responded.
“I went through a lot of warnings in my tennis career. Never for breaking the racquet… but yes for the time clock.
“I have a problem, that I am sweating a lot, and when you are playing a game during these very humid conditions, we have the biggest problem today. We don’t have the ballboys bringing the towel to you, so you have to go to the farthest place on the court.
“For players like me, I am sweating that much, you know when you go to pick up the towel you’re going to be in trouble with the time, so I’m not going very often.
“I don’t think I have different treatment from the umpires at all. I don’t think I am receiving different treatment at all. I don’t understand why John can say that on the TV.
“I’m going to have a chat to him later.”
It is not the first time Nadal has been accused of being given preferential treatment, with Denis Shapovalov saying similar after his defeat by the Spaniard in their Australian Open quarter-final.
Shapovalov took issue on that occasion with the amount of time Nadal was taking between points.
“I think it’s unfair how much Rafa is getting away with,” said Shapovalov.
When asked if he thinks Nadal receives preferential treatment, Shapovalov said: “Of course – 100% he does, 100%. Every other match that I have played, the pace has been so quick because the refs have been on the clock after every single point.
“I’m completely ready to play and the clock is ticking 3, 2, 1, clicking towards zero,” he added.
“I’m looking at the umpire and obviously I’m going to speak up and say something.
“I’ve been ready to play for a minute and a half, and he tells me he’s not going to give him a code violation because I’m not ready to play. To me, it’s a big joke if somebody says that.”
Nadal said “I believe he is wrong in this case” when asked about Shapovalov’s comments.
World number three Nadal came into this year’s US Open tournament under an injury cloud after an abdominal strain had forced him to forfeit his Wimbledon semi-final against Nick Kyrgios.
Before Tuesday, he had played just once, a first-up loss to Borna Coric in Cincinnati and he looked rusty at the start on Tuesday.
Hijikata, making his Grand Slam debut, surprisingly broke for a 4-3 edge and claimed the opener in the 10th game on the back of 11 fearless winners.
However, Nadal was quickly back in business with breaks in the second and eighth games of the second set bringing him level in the contest.
A break in the fourth game of the third for a 3-1 lead was enough to secure a two sets to one lead.
He wrapped up the tie on a fifth match point, sealing the victory with searing forehand pass to progress in a tournament missing his longtime rival Novak Djokovic who was banned from the US over his refusal to be vaccinated.
