TENNIS: NADAL PULLS OUT OF US OPEN

Defending champion Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the US Open citing concerns over coronavirus.

The four-time winner at Flushing Meadows, pictured, does not want to travel to the United States while Covid-19 cases are on the rise.

Nadal posted on Instagram: “The situation is complicated worldwide, the Covid-19 cases are increasing, it looks like we still don’t have control of it. I have decided to follow my heart this time and for the time being I (would) rather not travel.”

The Madrid Open has been cancelled due to a spike in coronavirus cases in Spain.

The clay-court event was originally due to be played in May but was moved to September but a rise in cases in Spain has seen the tournament canned until next year.