The US Open will have to do without its defending champion: world number 2 Rafael Nadal announced on Tuesday August 4 that he would not participate in the American Grand Slam this year.

"The health situation is still very complicated around the world with cases of Covid-19 and new epidemic foci that seem out of control," explains the Spaniard on his Twitter account. "It's a decision I never wanted to make but, this time around, I follow my heart telling me that, for now, I'd rather not travel."

After many thoughts I have decided not to play this year's US Open. The situation is very complicated worldwide, the COVID-19 cases are increasing, it looks like we still don't have control of it.

- Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) August 4, 2020

Before sharply criticizing the organization of the new post-coronavirus calendar: "We know that the calendar after four months without playing is madness." The US Open, which will begin from August 31, and Roland-Garros, from September 27, are planned in quick succession, each preceded by a Masters 1000, in Cincinnati and Rome.

"If I understand and thank everyone for the efforts they are making to ensure that tournaments are played, to date, the situation is complicated to organize," insists Nadal.

A frantic pace castigated by Richard Gasquet

This announcement is not really a surprise, as the world number 2 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.

His uncle and former coach Toni Nadal had already warned a few weeks ago: "The schedule is unrealistic, especially for veteran players, who cannot compete for so many weeks in a row. I think that is a little ugly what ATP did. "

Already before Nadal, other players such as the Frenchman Richard Gasquet had denounced the infernal pace imposed by the new calendar. "This calendar is completely crazy. So many tournaments in such a short time, it's grotesque", had judged the former world number 7.

Many absent

The Mallorcan won't be the only notable absentee at Flushing Meadows. Australian world number 1 Ashleigh Barty had already announced Thursday that she was giving up making the trip to New York, also because of the "significant risks" associated with the new coronavirus.

The Swiss Stan Wavrinka (17th in the world) is also not on the list communicated Tuesday by the organizers of the US Open. His compatriot Roger Federer (4th) will also be absent, but for another reason: re-operated on a knee, he will not return to the circuit before 2021.

It is the first time since 1999 that neither Nadal nor Federer will not appear in the table of the American Grand Slam.

On the other hand, the world number 1 Novak Djokovic should be part of New York. His name, as well as those of six other members of the world top 10, appears well in the list of registrants. Not that of the world number 9, the French Gaël Monfils, nor of his compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

On the women's side, apart from Barty, the entire top 10 is expected, including the defending champion, the Canadian Bianca Andreescu (6th).

Several positive cases among circuit members

But the US Open is not immune to seeing new packages arrive, as the concern is great, while the new coronavirus pandemic seems to be resuming or not slowing down in many regions of the world.

On Tuesday, the Covid-19 already got the better of the Madrid tournament, rescheduled from September 12 to 20.

The world of tennis is, in fact, not spared by the Covid-19, with the discovery of several positive cases among the members of the circuit. The most striking case was that of the charity tournament organized at the end of June in the Balkans by Djokovic, which ended with four infected players: among them, the world number 1, but also the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (19th), the Croatian Borna Coric (33rd) and Serbian Viktor Troicki (184th).

Since then, other players like the American Frances Tiafoe and a player, whose identity has not been revealed, initially engaged in Palermo, the first tournament of the circuit to resume Monday after a five-month hiatus, have also been tested. positive.

With AFP

The summary of the week France 24 invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 application

google-play-badge_FR