Rafael Nadal was overheard via courtside microphones venting his frustration over his soccer club Real Madrid’s disappointing weekend result.
As the Spaniard prepared on a practice court for Sunday’s Barcelona Open final success against Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 20-time Grand Slam champion was frank in his assessment of Real’s stuttering La Liga title defence.

Nadal, a Real fan despite his uncle Miguel Angel making over 200 appearances for arch-rivals Barcelona, was seen speaking to umpire Mohamed Lahyani about his team’s 0-0 home draw with Real Betis on Saturday and was less than impressed with what he saw.

“Hala Madrid, but this year’s not so good, another 0-0 and we’re two points off the top,” Lahyani told Nadal, who shook his head and replied that it was “a disaster, a disaster”.

“La Liga’s over,” a despondent Nadal added. “Madrid need goalscorers...,” said the umpire. “Amongst other things,” said Nadal with a sigh. Real’s 0-0 draw with Betis means they sit in second place on 71 points, two behind league leaders Atletico Madrid.

Fortunately for the 34-year-old Nadal, he did not let his side’s result affect him too much as he saved a match point before lifting a 12th Barcelona Open trophy with a hard-fought 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 7-5 victory over his Greek opponent.