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Agence France-Presse

Defending champion Rafael Nadal said on Tuesday he will not play the US Open, citing concerns over the coronavirus and slamming tennis’ “barbaric” revised calendar.
“After many thoughts I have decided not to play this year’s US Open,” Nadal said on Twitter.
“The situation is very complicated worldwide, the Covid-19 cases are increasing, it looks like we still don’t have control of it.
“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.”
The 34-year-old Spanish star also took aim at the international tennis schedule, which has been revised following disruptions sparked by Covid-19 shutdowns.

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. pic.twitter.com/8VA0aSACVy
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) August 4, 2020

The US Open in New York, scheduled for August 31 through September 13, will be followed a fortnight later by the French Open at Roland Garros.
“We know that the reduced tennis calendar is barbaric this year after 4 months stopped with no play,” Nadal said.
‘What are you talking about?’ Kyrgios blasts Thiem in virus row
With Nadal’s long-time rival Roger Federer already ruled out of the tournament as he recovers from knee surgery, the US Open will mark the first time since 1999 that neither player has featured in the main draw of a grand slam event.
Nadal, who has 19 grand slam victories, could have equalled Federer’s tally of 20 Slam wins in New York.

Doubts about Nadal’s willingness to play the US Open have swirled for months as tennis grapples with a calendar that has been decimated by pandemic disruption.
In June, Nadal warned he would not consider playing the US Open unless he was satisfied conditions were “completely safe.”
Hong Kong No 1 Eudice Chong misses out on Tour build-up after Hong Kong Championships postponed amid Covid-19 spike
Nadal’s name was entered last week on the US Open tune-up tournament, the ATP/WTA Western and Southern Open, which will be held in New York this year instead of Cincinnati.
However Nadal had long harboured concerns over the proximity of the US Open and the swing of clay court events scheduled through September.

Nadal’s uncle and long-time former coach, Toni, said in June that the former world number one was uncertain about which events he would play.
“The schedule is unrealistic, especially for veteran players, who cannot compete for so many weeks in a row,” Toni Nadal said. “I think it is a bit ugly what the ATP has done.”
With Nadal and Federer missing from New York, world number one Novak Djokovic will have a golden opportunity to land an 18th Grand Slam singles title.
Djokovic was named on the US Open entry list on Tuesday which included seven of the world’s top 10 players.

Djokovic, a three-time US Open champion, will be joined by world number three Dominic Thiem, world number 5 Daniil Medvedev and sixth-ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The women’s entry list meanwhile includes 13 grand slam champions and nine of the world’s top 10 players.
With Australia’s world number one Ashleigh Barty withdrawing from the tournament last week citing “significant risks” from Covid-19, the women’s draw will be led by Romania’s world number two Simona Halep of Romania, a two-time grand slam champion.
Serena Williams is also in the field, chasing a seventh US Open and 24th grand slam time overall.


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National Games: Hong Kong tennis chiefs hope golden November will boost sport’s elite status

US Open (tennis)

‘Barbaric’ – Rafael Nadal slams schedule as he pulls out of the US Open

Spain’s Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the US Open because he doesn’t feel safe travelling during the pandemic. Photo: AFP

FILED - 07 August 2019, England, London: Australian tennis player Ashleigh Barty in action against USA's Alison Riske during their women's singles round of 16 match of the 2019 Wimbledon Grand Slam tennis tournament. The world's number 1 women's tennis player Barty has withdrawn from the US Open, which is set to commence in New York in late August, due to coronavirus concerns. Photo: Steven Paston/PA Wire/dpa

FILED - 12 November 2019, England, London: Swiss tennis player Roger Federer in action against Italy's Matteo Berrettini during the ATP World Tour Finals group stage match. Federer has undergone surgery on his right knee and will be out for several months, missing several leading tournaments including the French Open. Photo: John Walton/PA Wire/dpa

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2019, file photo, Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after scoring a point against Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, during the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York. Defending champion Rafael Nadal will skip the U.S. Open because of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

David Beckham, Rafael Nadal, yes, but Michael Wong? Watches with celebrity endorsements – why some work and some don’t

Rafael Nadal wearing Richard Mille’s RM 27-03 watch – a celebrity endorsement that makes sense. Photo: EPA

OMEGA

Postmag September 29, 2019 Watches

TUDOR

How Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal gave Father Time the slip Down Under

Roger Federer kisses the Australian Open trophy after his victory over Rafael Nadal. Photo: Xinhua

In this Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017 photo, United States' Serena Williams, left, embraces her sister, Venus, as she celebrates after winning the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara, File)

Switzerland's Roger Federer holds his Australian Open trophy as he is welcomed by fans upon his arrival at Zurich airport January 31, 2017. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

Roger Federer wins his 18th grand slam singles title against Rafael Nadal on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017 at the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Corinne Dubreuil/Abaca Press/TNS)

Roger Federer (R) poses with the Australian Open winner's trophy, alongside runner-up Rafael Nadal, after their final in Melbourne on Jan. 29, 2017. Federer won 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 for a record-extending 18th Grand Slam title. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

‘Too many people are getting injured’: Rafael Nadal takes aim at ATP Tour but set for quick return after Australian Open exit

Rafael Nadal leaves Rod Laver Arena after withdrawing injured from his quarter-final against Marin Cilic. Photo: AP

Tennis - Australian Open - Quarterfinals - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia, January 23, 2018. Spain's Rafael Nadal after retiring from his match due to injury against Croatia's Marin Cilic. REUTERS/Issei Kato

Sport

Tennis

Defending US Open champion takes aim at the international schedule which has been revised following disruptions sparked by Covid-19 shutdowns
It’s the first time since 1999 that both Nadal and long-time rival Federer will not feature in New York


Defending US Open champion takes aim at the international schedule which has been revised following disruptions sparked by Covid-19 shutdowns.


Rafael Nadal