“After many thoughts I have decided not to play this year’s US Open,” Nadal said 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 decision I never wanted to take but I have decided to follow my heart this time and for the time being I rather not travel.”
The 34-year-old Spanish star also took aim at the international tennis schedule, which has been revised following disruptions sparked by COVID-19 shutdowns.
The US Open in New York, scheduled for September 1-13, will be followed 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 said.
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With Nadal’s long-time rival Roger Federer already ruled out of the tournament as he recovers from knee surgery, the US Open will mark the first time since 1999 that neither player has featured in the main draw of a Grand Slam event.
Nadal, who has 19 Grand Slam victories, could have equalled Federer’s tally of 20 Slam wins in New York.
It opens the door for Novak Djokovic to win at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2018 and take his grand slam tally to 18.
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 would not consider playing the US Open unless he was satisfied conditions were “completely safe.”
Nadal’s call-up entered last week at the U.S. Open, ATP/WTA Western and Southern Open progression tournament, to be held in New York this year instead of Cincinnati.
Rafael Nadal will protect his name at the US Open. (Photo via Johannes EISELE / AFP) Source: AFP
However, Nadal had long harbored considerations about the proximity of the US Open and the change of clay-court occasions scheduled until September.
Nadal’s uncle and former long-time coach Toni said in June that the former world number one doesn’t know when he will play.
“The calendar is unrealistic, especially for veteran players, who can’t compete for so many weeks in a row,” Nadal said. “I think what the ATP has done is a little ugly.”
Djokovic was named Tuesday to the U.S. Open list, which included seven of the 10 most sensitive players in the world.
Three-time US Open champion Djokovic will join world No. 3 Dominic Thiem, world no.5 Daniil Medvedev and sixth-ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas. Australian Nick Kyrgios will play after hitting his team.
The list of registered women includes thirteen Grand Slam champions and nine of the 10 most sensitive players in the world.
While australian number one global Ashleigh Barty withdrew from the tournament last week, posing “significant risks” similar to COVID-19, the women’s draw will be led by Romanian world number two Simona Halep of Romania, two-time Grand Slam champion.
Serena Williams is on the court, chasing a seventh U.S. Open and a 24th Grand Slam overall.
– AFP