"Rude, obnoxious, disrespectful" - Fans pile on interviewer after 'loser' comment at Rafael Nadal sparks controversy at Six Kings Slam

British interviewer and former tennis player Andrew Castle calling Rafael Nadal a 'loser' after his defeat to Carlos Alcaraz at the inaugural Six Kings Slams has left fans incensed. They felt that Castle's comments were disrespectful towards the 22-time Major champion, who, on October 10, had announced his decision to retire from the sport.

Nadal and Alcaraz butted heads in the semifinals of the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh. While the 38-year-old received a bye in the quarterfinals, the 21-year-old comfortably passed the Holger Rune test 6-4, 6-2.

The Spanish legend had been out of action since the Paris Olympics and recently shocked the tennis world by announcing that he would be hanging up his racket after the 2024 Davis Cup Finals.

Alcaraz faced his idol, and though there were a few moments of brilliance from the 14-time Roland Garros champion, it was the World No. 2 who got a comfortable 6-3, 6-3 win.

After the match, the two men had a chat with Andrew Castle, who asked Alcaraz if he could start with the 'loser', pointing towards the 38-year-old. Though Castle was seemingly trying to make a joke, Carlos Alcaraz asked the Brit to not call his idol a 'loser'.

Fans were appalled by Andrew Castle's words and took to X (formerly Twitter) to call him out. One fan said that the Brit was always disrespectful towards others.

"No surprise there castles a nuisence rude obnoxous disrespectful always been the same whats he doing there," the fan commented.

Another fan was disappointed with how Castle had conducted the interview and also pointed out how he had called the 22-time Grand Slam champion a 'loser' and 'old'.

"He was such a terrible interviewer here. Oh my god. I was so embarrassed. He called him old and a loser I think twice each fu**ing hell. I turned it off," the fan said.

Here are some other reactions from the fans expressing their disappointment over Andrew Castle's comments:

"Stop with the "loser" nonsense. Both Alcaraz and Nadal played their hearts out, and Alcaraz rightfully shot down that language. Respect their effort, the match's intensity, and give them the recognition they both deserve," a fan wrote.

"The man really lack respect," another said.

"What a classy response by Carlos! Both legends on and off the court," a fan applauded.

"Journalists today is the lowest level of Journalists in ALL ERA'S! Their way to review is just too low to be discussed! My ears turn RED when heard their dumb words. It is EXHIBITION, they says. But it is farewell party for Nadal too! Why he use loser term?! Poor preparation!!" another fan said

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Carlos Alcaraz will play Jannik Sinner in the final of the Six Kings Slam, and Rafael Nadal to face Novak Djokovic for third place

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz shake hands after their matchup (Source: Getty)

After winning against his idol Rafael Nadal in the semifinals of the Six Kings Slam, Carlos Alcaraz will take on Jannik Sinner in the final.

Contrary to his rival's path, the Italian had a tough time against Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. However, the World No. 1 managed to defeat the Serb 6-2, 6-7(0), 6-4 in a topsy-turvy thriller.

Alcaraz and Sinner have quickly risen to high levels of performance in a short span of time and will battle each other to win the inaugural edition of the exhibition event on 19th October.

And though the two legends may have lost their respective semifinals, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will play each other for the third position on the 19th, in what is being touted as the final battle between the two greats of tennis.