Djokovic ‘cleared out of the way’ for Nadal says Webster
Rafael Nadal faces Denis Shapovalov in the quarter-final of the Australian Open today. The Spaniard toppled Adrian Mannarino with relative ease in the last round, winning 7-6 (16-14), 6-2, 6-2 to seal his spot in the last eight. Canadian 14th seed Shapovalov will provide a much tougher test in Nadal’s quest for a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam.
Shapovalov, 22, reached his first Australian Open quarter-final by knocking out third seed Alexander Zverev in straight sets.
The match begins at 3am UK time, with live coverage available on Eurosport and Amazon Prime.
Born and raised in Majorca, Nadal is a proud Spaniard, and previously expressed his disapproval at the Catalonian independence campaign.
The Catalan parliament approved the independence referendum on September 6, 2017, but it was declared unconstitutional the following day.
READ MORE: Raducanu and Murray prove tennis fans exactly right at Australian Open
Rafael Nadal in action at the Australian Open. (Image: GETTY)
Nadal faces Denis Shapovalov today. (Image: GETTY)
Nonetheless, a referendum was held the next month. Around 90 percent of the votes were cast in favour of becoming a republic, though less than half of the region’s population managed to reach the ballot boxes after police implemented a heavy crackdown to stop people voting.
Independence was declared before Madrid imposed direct rule upon the region as a consequence, and dissolved the Catalan parliament.
Nadal voiced his opinions on the matter in an interview with Spanish newspaper El Mundo shortly before the referendum.
He said the vote should not go ahead, instead urging everyone to “respect the law”.
Nadal criticised Catalan independence, urging campaigners to respect the law. (Image: GETTY)
He said: “The laws are what they are and one can’t skip the laws because you want to skip them.
“I can’t run a red light because that traffic light doesn’t seem right to me.”
Alongside Spanish and English, Nadal is a Catalan speaker.
He continued: “I feel very close to the Catalans and I feel very Spanish as well.
DON’T MISS:
Kyrgios worries ‘tennis in trouble’ over Federer, Nadal and Djokovic [QUOTES]
Djokovic statement expected as key sponsors speak out after Aus Open [NEW]
Raducanu hint ‘worrying’ with Brit told why she blistered at Aus Open [REVEALED]
Police brutality was condemned on the day of the referendum. (Image: GETTY)
“I don’t understand Spain without Catalonia. I don’t want to understand or see it.
“I believe that together we ought to be able to understand each other, and I think we have to make an effort to reach an understanding because we are without any doubt, stronger together than separated.
“Spain is better with Catalonia and Catalonia is better with Spain from my point of view.”
The vote went ahead despite Nadal’s pleas, and police brutality was condemned by some of the biggest names in Spanish sport.
Pep Guardiola also weighed in with criticism of the police methods (Image: GETTY)
Nadal admitted he “felt like crying” at the image of Spain that the rest of the world was seeing.
He said: “To see the society in general, not only the Catalans, so radicalised… I am surprised and disappointed.”
Likewise, Manchester City manager and proud Catalan Pep Guardiola voiced his concerns at the images being projected across the world.
He fumed: “Spain will try to cover up the reality, but the rest of the world’s media will show it.
“I read in El Pais that they were saying it was the police officers who were injured. Injured by what? By votes?”
Guardiola called on the Spanish population to understand that Catalonia wishes “to decide its own future”.
The independence movement seems to have largely stalled since then, with current Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez unwilling to allow a new vote.
Rafael Nadal’s bid for Australian Open glory continues at 3am UK time with coverage available on Amazon Prime and Eurosport.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
