Was that a VAMOSSSSSSSSSSS or a VAMOS? Are Uncle Toni's sunglasses on his head or his face? Is that a smile or frown? ...and what exactly does each one mean? ...UN-FREAKEN-BELIEVABLE!!!
I know it happens...but I didn't see anything (I know that means nothing) and Petzschner said he didn't hear or see anything...I mean...it's RAFA!!! I'm not making him a saint...but honest sportsman...YES, YES HE IS.
TheRafanadalchannel
Wimbledon 2010: Rafael Nadal's uncle at centre of illegal coaching row
The world No1 has denied the umpire's claim that he received coaching during his victory over Philipp Petzschner, but the incident has opened up a debate on the subject.
The issue of illegal coaching makes some people in tennis very uncomfortable indeed, as was evident one year at the US Open when there were suggestions that someone in Maria Sharapova's entourage had been holding up pieces of fruit to pass her messages during the match, and she angrily retorted that, "my life is about more than a banana".
One of the leading coaches, Nick Bollettieri, has admitted to having advised his players in the past by using the signals of touching his sunglasses, rubbing his nose, or by shouting out code words, and that "anyone in tennis who doesn't think it happens should open their eyes and ears".
Illegal coaching was being discussed at the All England Club over the weekend after Rafael Nadal, the world No 1 and 2008 Wimbledon champion, received an official warning from the umpire for supposedly receiving advice from his uncle Toni during his five-setter against Philipp Petzschner, of Germany.
Anyone who appears on Centre Court is meant to be self-reliant, to be able to think for themselves on the grass, and Nadal was so annoyed by the accusations that he said he intended to speak with a supervisor.
"Toni wasn't giving me any tips, he was only supporting me," Nadal said. "Sometimes in the past Toni would talk, maybe too much, and the referee or the umpire would give me advice and, if it continued, a warning, but he didn't talk too much this time in my opinion. I told the umpire that we will be talking to the supervisor and this we will be doing."
Nadal's opponent also said that he had not heard any coaching, just a few cries of "Vamos" from Toni. It was not the first time, though, that Toni has been accused of passing on some encouragement to his nephew, as during the final of the 2006 Rome tournament, Roger Federer said he had caught him at it.
Some, including Bollettieri, have argued over the years that mid-match coaching should be decriminalised, and that it does not detract from the sport to have a little outside help.
On the women's tour, at every event apart from at the four slams, on-court coaching is permitted. It is essentially a gimmick for television, as the coach comes down from the stands, clips on a microphone and the conversations are broadcast live.
It seems unlikely that a similar rule will be introduced to the men's tour, especially when someone as influential as Federer sounds as though he is so against it. The tennis traditionalists believe that players should be left to their own devices.
The warning for illegal coaching was not Nadal's only concern, as he hasn't been playing great tennis at this Wimbledon, as this was the second match in succession that he had to come from two sets to one down.
"I'm a little scared about the knee," said Nadal, who missed last summer's tournament because of problems with both knees. When Nadal plays Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu on Monday, there will be much interest in how he moves, in how he hits the ball, and in Uncle Toni.
Apart from Andy Murray, the Fab Four of men's tennis haven't been so fabulous, with Federer dropping the first two sets of his opening match.
The Swiss, who is attempting to win a seventh Wimbledon title, plays Austria's Jurgen Melzer for the first time. Novak Djokovic, who had a five-setter on the first day of the tournament, has a tricky match against Australia's Lleyton Hewitt, who beat Federer in the final of the pre-Wimbledon tournament in Halle, Germany.
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