Nadal is not likely to defend US title

As Rafael Nadal wavers over defending his US Open title or preparing for an assault on a 13th Roland Garros, Britain’s Andy Murray says he fears for the safety of top players as tennis emerges from its five-month coronavirus lockdown.

Tennis has been on ice since mid-March and will not return until early August.

The US Open will run from August 31 to September 13 on the hard courts of New York with the rescheduled French Open on clay taking place just a fortnight after. In between are Masters events in Madrid and Rome, both on clay and also rescheduled from the spring.

“I have spoken to Rafa, and he is doubting which tournaments to play,” said Nadal’s uncle and longtime former coach, Toni.

“The schedule is unrealistic, especially for veteran players, who cannot compete for so many weeks in a row. I think it is a bit ugly what the ATP has done.”

Murray has expressed his worries about player safety in switching quickly from surface to surface. He suggested a rankings rethink might be a solution.

“It’s not safe for players to go from the semis or final in New York, quarters even, and then you’re playing on the Tuesday in Madrid at altitude on the clay court, when players haven’t competed for a long time,” said Murray. “None of the top players competed a week before a Slam.

“The rankings, if you can keep the points as they are, could get a bit skewed. It might be worth potentially looking at a two-year ranking for the time being so that the guys who did well last year and are not able to defend their points properly aren’t punished.”