Rafael Nadal says he does not have any lingering issues with Fabio Fognini, despite signs of tension during their semifinal match in Beijing.
Nadal offered his opponent a lukewarm handshake following the match, and his coach and uncle, Toni, appeared to be gesturing at Fognini's behavior when the Italian threw his racquet, almost hitting a linesperson.
"No rivalry at all. No, no, no. I don't know what's going on, seriously," Nadal said. "We had the issue that we had in Hamburg, and that's it. No problems."
In the final of Hamburg, Fognini approached Nadal's chair and spoke angrily to the Spaniard, who won the match. Fognini has won their other three other meetings this season.
Fognini also denied the two had any ongoing problems, saying, "What happened in Hamburg is past, for sure. But I have nothing to say. I have all respect with him outside and inside the court."
Nadal won the Beijing match in straight sets, but fell to Novak Djokovic in the final.