World No.2 Rafael Nadal has spoken out about his decision to miss this year’s US Open amid ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Spaniard is currently the only top 10 player on the men’s Tour to have pulled out of New York for a reason other than injury despite being the reigning champion. In a statement Nadal said the COVID-19 situation is ‘very complicated worldwide’ and is not under control. Referring to a recent surge of cases in some parts of America, which has recorded more deaths related to the virus than any other country.
Although Nadal admits that it isn’t just the pandemic that has contributed towards his decision to miss the event. It is also the quick turnaround of switching from hard-court to the clay with the French Open just taking place a few weeks after. Nadal has won more ATP titles on the clay than anybody else in the Open Era.
“The health situation is the first basic inconvenience when making my decision,” Nadal said.
“The situation seems not in full control, so in this case, after consulting with my team, we decided to skip the US Open.
“Second, the schedule is challenging after many months without competing.
“Going from hard-court to clay, with hardly any time for preparation, is dangerous for my body and my future.”
Nadal is aiming to clinch a record 13th French Open later this year to become the first player – male or female – in history to have won the same Grand Slam that many times. Victory would also see him level Roger Federer’s all-time record of 20 major singles titles.
“The situation is as it is, and my spirit was not high enough to travel to New York and compete,” he said.
“If I am going to compete, all my senses have to be focused on competition to perform at my best, and it would have been difficult to achieve that.”
The only concern for Nadal will be the lack of match play he will have leading up to Roland Garros. Due to the cancellation of the Madrid Open, the only Masters 1000 event taking place on the clay will be the Italian Open. Which will start a week prior. There is also an ATP 250 event taking place in Kitzbuhel, but he is not on the entry list at present.
Writing in his column for El Pais, former coach Toni Nadal said he was optimistic that the lack of matches would not have an impact on his nephew.
“I just hope that, in Rafa’s case, his results at Roland Garros are not compromised by an inactivity of so many months,” Toni commented.
Despite opting not to defend his US Open title, Nadal will not suffer a rapid points loss in the rankings due to a recent change in the rules. A player’s ranking is now decided based on their 18 best tournament performances over a 22-month period instead of 12 months. The increase was triggered following the five-month break in the sport because of COVID-19.
Nadal’s last taste of competitive tennis was at the Mexican Open in February. At the tournament he clinched his 85th ATP title without dropping a set in five matches played.
