Roger Federer fans furious with Maria Sharapova after Rafael Nadal practice session
MARIA SHARAPOVA was giddy with excitement after posting a video of her spending time on the practice courts with Rafael Nadal yesterday, referring to him as the “GOAT”.
But the post led to an angry response from loyal Roger Federer fans who took exception to Sharapova calling Nadal the ‘greatest of all-time’.
Both Sharapova and Rafael Nadal are in Rome for this week’s Italian Open and the duo spent some time on the practice courts.
And the Russian was clearly overjoyed at being able to rally with the 16-time Grand Slam champion, tweeting: "Two minutes on court with the GOAT @RafaelNadal #BucketList Was so nervous.”
However, the post was quickly pounced upon by a number of Federer supporters who were not pleased at the world No 1 being overlooked as the ‘GOAT’.
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One user tweeted: “GOAT?? Rafa? You for real? Watch more tennis, Roger is the *goat emoji*!”
While another replied with: “That doesn’t look like @rogerfederer?”
But there were some who defended Sharapova’s tweet while taking a sly dig at Federer for skipping the clay-court season.
One posted: “You are slightly right @MariaSharapova, @RafaelNadal is the Goat. He never skips or give up playing on any surface at any given time when healthy.”
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Sharapova has enjoyed her biggest success at the Italian Open, winning three titles with her last coming back in 2015.
Since returning from a drugs ban last year, the 31-year-old has been working her way back up the rankings and will be hoping for a strong show in Rome ahead of the French Open next week.
She starts her tournament off with a first round match-up against Australian Ashleigh Barty later today while Nadal has been given a bye to the second round.