Rafael Nadal and John McEnroe once disagreed on the tennis’ shot clock rule.

During his career the Spaniard developed a reputation for taking slightly longer between points than most of his peers.

In tennis, players are allowed 25 seconds to recover between points and two minutes between each set.

At times Nadal has exceeded the limit, which led the American to suggest the 22-time Grand Slam champion was treated differently from other players.

Rafael Nadal is not the only player who has had difficulty with the shot clock, as Frances Tiafoe voiced his frustration with the rule at the ongoing Vienna Open.

In May 2022, John McEnroe claimed Nadal is treated differently by umpires regarding the shock clock because of his achievements as a tennis player.

“Rafa has got his ritual that takes 30 seconds every time he plays a point,” the American tennis legend said. “If you’re that great you can get away with it.”

At the 2022 US Open, Nadal then responded: “I am following the rules. If I am having more than 25 seconds I receive a warning every single time. If not, check the clock.

“I don’t think I’m receiving different treatment at all. I don’t understand why John can say that on the TV, but I am going to have a chat with him later.”

McEnroe then defended himself against Nadal’s claims, and said it is up to the umpires to enforce the rule. “Why did they throw me under the bus? We haven’t had that talk (with Nadal) but let me just add that… he didn’t let me finish, whoever the dumb journalist was,” McEnroe explained.

“Rafa Nadal is entitled to do whatever the hell he wants, that’s part of why you get as good as [Nadal is], you’ve got to deal with that.

“And it’s not up to him. We all know that he’s been doing this for the past 10 to 15 years. There’s nothing new to that. It’s not his call – it’s the umpires.”

Tiafoe won his opening match at the Vienna Open, but it did not come without the American receiving a time violation for the fourth successive match, including at the Shanghai Masters, when Tiafoe swore at the official.

During the first set of his match against Cam Norrie, the 26-year-old was sanctioned and he responded by shouting in the direction of the chair umpire. After his 6-4 7-6(4) win, Tiafoe did not hold back during an interview with Sky Sports.

“We put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears out here. For me to play four consecutive matches and get four consecutive time violations is insane,” the US Open semi-finalist said.

“It needs to be spoken about because then it’s loss of points, loss of money, loss of opportunity, fines that come because of reactions.

“I’ll deal with it better when they make a change. The more I go on with it, I don’t think any change will happen.

“Four violations in four matches is pretty ridiculous to me. I have been on the tour for 10 years and that has never happened, so I want to know why.”