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Defending champion Rafael Nadal stated Tuesday he won’t play the US Open, citing considerations over the coronavirus and slamming tennis’s “barbaric” revised calendar. “After many thoughts I have decided not to play this year’s US Open,” Nadal stated on Twitter. “The situation is very complicated worldwide, the COVID-19 cases are increasing, it looks like we still don’t have control of it. “This is a call I by no means wished to take however I’ve determined to comply with my coronary heart this time and in the intervening time I reasonably not journey.”
The 34-year-old Spanish star additionally took intention on the worldwide tennis schedule, which has been revised following disruptions sparked by COVID-19 shutdowns.
The US Open in New York, scheduled for August 31 by September 13, will likely be adopted a fortnight later by the French Open at Roland Garros.
“We know that the reduced tennis calendar is barbaric this year after 4 months stopped with no play…” Nadal stated.
With Nadal’s long-time rival Roger Federer already dominated out of the match as he recovers from knee surgical procedure, the US Open will mark the primary time since 1999 that neither participant has featured in the principle draw of a Grand Slam occasion.
Nadal, who has 19 Grand Slam victories, might have equalled Federer’s tally of 20 Slam wins in New York.
– Schedule concern –
Doubts about Nadal’s willingness to play the US Open have swirled for months as tennis grapples with a calendar that has been decimated by pandemic disruption.
In June, Nadal warned he wouldn’t contemplate enjoying the US Open until he was happy circumstances have been “completely safe.”
Nadal’s title was entered final week on the US Open tune-up match, the ATP/WTA Western and Southern Open, which will likely be held in New York this yr as a substitute of Cincinnati.
However Nadal had lengthy harboured considerations over the proximity of the US Open and the swing of clay courtroom occasions scheduled by September.
Nadal’s uncle and long-time former coach, Toni, stated in June that the previous world primary was unsure about which occasions he would play.
“The schedule is unrealistic, especially for veteran players, who cannot compete for so many weeks in a row,” Toni Nadal stated. “I think it is a bit ugly what the ATP has done.”
With Nadal and Federer lacking from New York, world primary Novak Djokovic may have a golden alternative to land an 18th Grand Slam singles title.
Djokovic was named on the US Open entry record on Tuesday which included seven of the world’s high 10 gamers.
Djokovic, a three-time US Open champion, will likely be joined by world quantity three Dominic Thiem, world quantity 5 Daniil Medvedev and sixth-ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The girls’s entry record in the meantime contains 13 Grand Slam champions and 9 of the world’s high 10 gamers.
Promoted
With Australia’s world primary Ashleigh Barty withdrawing from the match final week citing “significant risks” from COVID-19, the ladies’s draw will likely be led by Romania’s world quantity two Simona Halep of Romania, a two-time Grand Slam champion.
Serena Williams can also be within the area, chasing a seventh US Open and 24th Grand Slam time general.
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