Nadal skips US Open over Covid fears

REIGNING champion rafael Nadal shocked US open organisers last night by declaring that he will not defend his title in New York this month. The announcement came just hours after September’s clay-court Madrid open — to which Nadal had committed — was cancelled due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the Spanish capital. It was presumed that Nadal would travel to New York, but instead he swiftly put out a statement saying that he would not go under any circumstances. He joins women’s No 1 Ash Barty in opting out of what is becoming a depleted field at Flushing Meadows, if the tournament goes ahead. ‘After many thoughts I have decided not to play,’ said Nadal. ‘The situation is very complicated worldwide, Covid cases are increasing, it looks like we still don’t have control of it. We know the reduced tennis calendar is barbaric this year after four months stopped with no play. I thank (the organisers) for the efforts they are putting in.’ With roger Federer injured, two of the three players contesting the race to be the all-time greatest Grand Slam winner will not play. It will be the first major without the pair of them since 1999. World No 1 Novak Djokovic had expressed reservations over playing, but has been seen practising on hard courts in Spain and reportedly had US open balls shipped to him for training.

World No 2 Nadal (below) had little rankings incentive to play, as a temporary system will count his 2,000 points from last year’s win. He will now focus on next month’s French open, hoping to add to his record 12 titles at roland Garros. Aside from Nadal and Barty, other prominent US open no-shows are expected to include Gael Monfils, Fabio Fognini, Stan Wawrinka and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, while there is a large question mark over Wimbledon champion Simona Halep.