Swiss player Stanislas Wawrinka expressed his displeasure when the chair umpire did not issue a warning to Nadal after he noticed that the latter’s uncle and coach, Toni Nadal has been coaching from the stands.
“It’s nothing personal against Rafa or against Toni,” Wawrinka said. “We all know, players and umpires, that Toni is always trying to help Rafa. That’s normal. That’s part of the game. But when it’s too much, it’s too much.
“Today I didn’t agree with the umpire that he didn’t tell him something or he didn’t give him a second warning just because it was Rafa. We all see it. I was there. Before every point, he was trying to coach him.”
Nadal went on to win the match 7-6, 7-6.
According to ATP Tour rules, “players shall not receive coaching during a tournament match. Communications of any kind, audible or visible, between a player and a coach may be construed as coaching.”
A warning is issued on the first offense, followed by a point penalty on the second offense and a game penalty for a third and each subsequent violation. However, this rule is rarely enforced.
