Tennis | US Open 2020 | Nadal joins Barty in skipping US Open
- Ashleigh Barty announced she would not be competing last week
- Rafael Nadal says he would rather not travel to the US given issues with controlling coronavirus
- Top Brits still all intending to play
LONDON, UK – The US Open suffers another high-profile withdrawal as the country continues to cope with cases on coronavirus.
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Rafael Nadal withdraws from the US Open
US Open defending champion Rafael Nadal has announced via Twitter that he will not travel to the US Open this year, over concerns about the coronavirus.
In a series of tweets, he said:
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
We know that the reduced tennis calendar is barbaric this year after 4 months stopped with no play, I understand and thank for the efforts they are putting in to make it happen. We have just seen the announcement of Madrid not being played this year.
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) August 4, 2020
All my respects to the USTA, the US Open organisers and the ATP for trying to put the event together for the players and the fans around the world through TV.
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) August 4, 2020
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. pic.twitter.com/8VA0aSACVy
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) August 4, 2020
He has also withdrawn from the Western & Southern Open which has been moved from Cincinnati this year to New York in attempts to contain the amount of travelling across the US players would have to do.
Ashleigh Barty also withdrawing from US tournaments
Last week WTA World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty also withdrew from the US Open again citing significant risks due to COVID-19 and has said she will make a decision whether to defend her title at the rescheduled Roland Garros, following the US Open.
Her compatriot Nick Kyrgios, who has spoken out many times about fellow tennis players not respecting rules around coronavirus after the ill-fated Adria tour has also withdrawn from the tournament.
Last week at the Battle of the Brits Team Tennis, Andy Murray believed there could be more to come. Simona Halep, who recently withdrew from Palermo has entered the US Open but could leave it to the last minute to withdraw.
He said: “I think we’ll see it quite a bit. It’s everyone’s personal decision, If they don’t feel safe and don’t feel comfortable travelling and going there and don’t want to put themselves and their team at an increased risk, it’s completely understandable.
“I think all of the players will have some reservations and it’s just whether or not you feel comfortable taking that risk.
He continued: “For me, my feeling is that once we’re inside that bubble they’ve created we’ll be ok. It’s just more the international travel and getting there – that’s what I’d be a bit concerned about.”
Top Brits all intending to play
Murray, Johanna Konta, Dan Evans, Kyle Edmund and Heather Watson are all still planning to travel to the US.
Konta and Watson will restart on the tour in Lexington while Evans, Edmund and Murray are on the list for the Western & Southern Open, with Murray having been awarded a wildcard.
WTA Lexington is scheduled to start on 10 August, and the Western & Southern Open on the 21 August.
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