Morena Mothupi
Being factual and accurate is one of journalism’s rules of thumb, it forms part of the profession’s code of ethics.
One of the biggest mistakes you could ever make is to go into an interview without having your facts straight. You risk being exposed and having your credibility tarnished – yours and that of the organization you represent.
The Times is a globally recognized and reputable media giant, so their image may not have been bruised by one of their own at a recent press conference involving Rafael Nadal.
The Times’ tennis correspondent, Stuart Fraser asked Nadal about his record in Australia, but he got his statistics a little wrong and had the Spaniard bring him back.
“I just wanted to ask, you haven’t reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open since you won the title in 2009. I just wondered if there’s anything you find difficult or challenging about the conditions compared to other Grand Slams. And also, do you think that this year it’s not normal for you to play a warmup tournament at Melbourne Park, because that option hasn’t been there in the past. Do you think that will help you?” asked Fraser.
This, obviously, left the 20-time Grand Slam champion puzzled, even forcing a facial reaction from him.
“I am very sorry to tell you, I don’t want to but I have been in the final of 2012, ’14, ’17, ’18 and another semi-final. I got injured a couple of times here, in my career. Of course it’s been a great tournament for me and of course I had a lot of challenges in terms of injuries in this event. So, sorry to correct you” said Nadal.
Athletes are always met with some bizarre questions and depending on the day and their mood, they usually take them on the chin, like Nadal.
The lesson to be learned from this though, is that it’s important to fact-check and double fact-check, so as to not be humiliated in public and have your colleagues and potentially the world questioning your capabilities.
Nadal is chasing a record 21st singles Grand Slam title, but he might have to deal with the stiff challenge from fellow 20-time Slam winner Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic is still fighting the Australian government to allow him to stay in the country and take part in the first major tennis tournament of the year.
The Serbian’s future hangs in the balance, as the Aussie Immigration Minister, Alex Hawke holds the executive power to have Djokovic’s visa cancelled for a second time.
As it stands, the world number one will compete at Melbourne Park, which presents Nadal with a tough assignment.
