'Complete flex': Fans lose the plot over sleeveless Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal has sent his fans into meltdown, bringing back his sleeveless look for the US Open.
Nadal wore his signature tank top at the Australian Open in January, but wore a shirt at the French Open and Wimbledon.
On Tuesday, fans were over the moon to see the gun show back in New York, with Nadal rocking the sleeveless look in his win over Aussie John Millman.
Fans flocked to social media in a frenzy.
Nadal wearing the sleeveless top and vibrant purple headband/ wristbands in primetime is a complete flex. #USOpen2019 #powermove
— Michael Tapiero (@M_Tapiero94) August 28, 2019
Sleeveless Nadal is back! https://t.co/qa48U2AkHx
— Anael Bautista (@anaelbautista) August 28, 2019
A sleeveless Rafa Nadal is not going to drop a set at the US Open
— Taylor Brewton (@TBrew93) August 28, 2019
oh nadal is sleeveless? ok he’s winning this year
— Yasmin (@YasminStefaniee) August 27, 2019
Sleeveless #Rafa is back!!! 💪👊😍Muscle tee #Rafa = Best #Rafa 🤙😎 #USOpen #RafaNadalOpen #Nadal #Primetime #NightSession #GunsOut #SpanishBull #VamosRafa #Nike #outfit #NikeCourt pic.twitter.com/VXrGEYYsxn
— Willy Alexander 🏴☠️🐬 (@sirwillyyXD) August 27, 2019
Whooooo the return of sleeveless Nadal
— Seirea 🛠 Project Xadia (TDP Fan Game) (@SeireaSong) August 27, 2019
I can watch Nadal play all day. He works it with the gun arms showing and the power game.
— Jody Talbott (@JodyJodytal) August 28, 2019
Nadal cops controversial code violation
The Spaniard was in fine form early against Millman, but was derailed slightly by a contentious code violation.
The service games of Millman and Nadal had been halted throughout the first set after officials appeared to allow fans to enter the stadium just when the players were about to start.
After numerous hold ups, Nadal was about to serve at the end of the first set when he stopped because fans were taking their seats behind Millman.
But the umpire hit the 18-time Grand Slam winner with a time violation, which annoyed Nadal.
The Spaniard approached the net and tried to explain to the umpire why he halted his serve.
Social media users suggested Millman came to the defence of Nadal and had mentioned fans were taking their seat.
But the umpire didn’t budge and stuck with her original call.
While Nadal has always taken his time serving, which has been a gripe of Aussie Nick Krygios, many fans leapt to his defence on this occasion.
@usopen what's wrong with your officials? Nadal was waiting for someone to sit down. The other player backed him up and the official still gives him grief
— Reggie Kitchens (@reggiekitchens) August 27, 2019
Terrible time violation call against Nadal. Umpire doesn't seem to get that this is Arthur Ashe Stadium.
— Grumpy Dem (@randomwandering) August 27, 2019
Absurd time violation called on Nadal #USOpen
— DropShots (@shots_drop) August 27, 2019
He went on to win 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, setting up a clash with another Aussie - Thanasi Kokkinakis.