Reigning champ Nadal pulls out of US Open

MUMBAI:WORLD No 2 and defending champion Rafael Nadal pulled out of the US Open on Tuesday citing ‘complicated’ situation due to the pandemic, hours after the Madrid Open was officially cancelled.

“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,” Nadal said in a series of tweets.

Nadal became the most highprofile men’s player to withdraw from the Grand Slam in New York which has been clouded in uncertainty with women’s top-ranked Ash Barty also pulling out.

“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.

“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,” Nadal added.

REAL MADRID LEGEND CASILLAS RETIRES MADRID:SPAIN’S World Cup-winning goalkeeper Iker Casillas announced his retirement on Tuesday, after being sidelined for more than a year with a heart problem.

Casillas, 39, also won the European Championship twice with Spain in a trophy-laden career which included more than 700 games for Real Madrid.

“Today is both one of the most important and most difficult days of my sporting life, the time to say goodbye has arrived,” he said on Twitter.

Casillas joined Portuguese side FC Porto in 2015 after a tearful exit from Madrid. He suffered a heart attack in May last year.

He played 167 times for Spain, winning the 2010 World Cup. He lifted five La Liga titles and the Champions League on three occasions during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.