2020 US Open: Rafael Nadal out

MUMBAI: Moments after defending champion Rafael Nadal announced his withdrawal from the US Open, a tweet on the tournament’s official handle said: “From Djokovic to Nagal, we break down the 2020 US Open men’s singles player field”. A few people—unaware of the Spaniard pulling out and of the top-ranked Indian player—replied to the tweet wondering if it was a misspelling.

Not quite. Sumit Nagal, ranked 127 in the world, squeezed in as the last man to get a direct entry into the men’s singles main draw of 128, which the organisers announced late on Tuesday after Nadal’s decision. He has never got a direct main draw ticket for a Grand Slam, and it would have been touch and go even this time had a host of top players not backed out of the event scheduled in New York from August 31 owing to the pandemic.

With organisers culling qualifiers this year to limit the number of players, Nagal is only Indian singles player set to participate in the controversial Slam which has been shrouded in uncertainty and high-profile withdrawals due to travel reservations.

India’s next best, Prajnesh Gunneswaran at world No.132, might get a look in if more players decide against participating. Nagal confirmed should the hardcourt Major go ahead, he will travel to New York to play but not without apprehensions about travel and being in a bio-bubble on arrival.

“Let’s just say I’m not too comfortable (with the travel),” Nagal said over the phone from Germany, where he is training. “At the same time I don’t have too many choices. You’ve got to understand and take what you have. I can’t expect too many things.”