Rafael Nadal, world No.2 and holder of the trophy at the US Open, announced on social media on Tuesday that he would not defend his title in New York this year due to uncertain sanitary conditions and a new schedule that 'he calls it "madness".
“After careful consideration, I have decided not to participate in the US Open this year. The health situation is still very complicated around the world with cases of Covid-19 and new epidemic outbreaks which seem out of control, ”writes the holder of 19 Grand Slam titles on his Twitter account, before attacking to the very dense post-coronavirus calendar established by ATP.
"We know that the schedule after four months without playing is madness," says Nadal, while the US Open, from August 31, and Roland-Garros, from September 27, are planned in quick succession, each preceded by a Masters 1000, in Cincinnati and Rome. The one in Madrid was definitively canceled earlier today.
Roland in the viewfinder
"It's a decision that I would never have wanted to make but, for this time, I follow my heart which tells me that, for the moment, I prefer not to travel", he continues. "If I understand and thank everyone for the efforts they make to ensure that tournaments are played, to date, the situation is complicated to organize," insists the Spanish player. The decision of Nadal (34) was expected but is not really a surprise, as he had expressed his reservations on several occasions. And the direct link that loomed with the clay that is so dear to him did not help.
If Nadal passes his turn, the world No. 1 Novak Djokovic is well registered on the entry list communicated Tuesday by the tournament organizers. Like six other members of the top 10, including Dominic Thiem, Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas or Alexander Zverev. In addition to Nadal and Federer, absent until 2021 after a second operation on the right knee, also missing the French Gaël Monfils (N.9) and the Swiss Stan Wawrinka, crowned at Flushing Meadows in 2016.
Sport
Coronavirus: Nadal thinks "the 2020 season is practically lost" for tennis players
Sport
Coronavirus: Will the US Open take place? The debate rages, the timetable soon set
- Covid 19
- Rafael Nadal
- US Open
- Tennis
- Coronavirus
- Sport