Evans urges Nadal and Djokovic to play US Open

British No 1 Dan Evans says Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have a duty to play in the US Open to help lowerranked players through the coronavirus crisis.

The hard-court grand slam is due to begin in New York on 31 August but world No 1 Djokovic and defending champion Nadal have expressed doubts.

Djokovic said the protocols put in place, including only being allowed one person with him on site, are “extreme” while Nadal currently has no inclination to travel for events.

With tennis suspended since early March and Wimbledon already wiped off the calendar, Evans believes compromises should be made to get playing again and allow players to earn prize money.

“If the US Open didn’t go ahead that would be another grand slam they are missing,” Evans told BBC Radio Five Live. “The players should really come together and Novak and Rafa should be looking to help lower-ranked players so they get a good pay day.

“It is not all about money, there is health involved here but if it is safe enough, having just a coach is not good enough reason not to be going to a tournament in my opinion.

“There are obviously people who have just got into the top 100 and haven’t earned for two or three months now.”

Only the top players in the game have a big entourage with them, with Djokovic complaining that he needs a coach, hitting partner, physiotherapist and fitness guru. But Evans said: “I don’t think having one person of your team only allowed is such a big deal.

“The majority of the draw would only travel with one coach, not everyone is travelling with a fitness coach and trainer like Novak said. His argument there is not really valid apart from the real top guys.

“There has to be a bit of give and take from the players, there are rumours that the US Open really need this [Djokovic and Nadal to commit to playing] to go ahead and I think as tennis players we should give something back and get out there and play.”