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Defending champion Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the US Open citing concerns over coronavirus.<\/p>\nDefending champion Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the US Open citing concerns over coronavirus.<\/p>\n
The four-time winner at Flushing Meadows does not want to travel to the United States for the event, which begins on August 31, while Covid-19 cases are on the rise.<\/p>\n
A spike in coronavirus in Nadal\u2019s Spain homeland has already led to the cancellation of the Madrid Open.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter many thoughts I have decided not to play this year\u2019s US Open,\u201d he wrote on Instagram.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe situation is very complicated worldwide, the COVID-19 cases are increasing, it looks like we still don\u2019t have control of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nadal said the revamped schedule was \u201cbarbaric\u201d in terms of compressing events into a short space of time but he appreciated tournament organizers across the world were doing their best.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that the reduced tennis calendar is barbaric this year after four months stopped with no play, I understand and thank for the efforts they are putting in to make it happen,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have just seen the announcement of Madrid not being played this year. All my respects to the USTA, the US Open organizers and the ATP for trying to put the event together for the players and the fans around the world through TV.\u201d<\/p>\n
Madrid\u2019s clay court event was originally due to be played in May but was moved to September after the first wave of Covid-19 hit Europe.<\/p>\n
However, a rise in cases in Spain has seen the tournament cancelled until next year.<\/p>\n
It was due to be played as the premier warm-up event for the rescheduled French Open which is set to be played at the end of September and plans had been put in place for a bio-secure bubble to be created.<\/p>\n
A statement from the tournament read: \u201cAs an act of responsibility in view of the current situation caused by Covid-19, and having thoroughly evaluated the circumstances that the pandemic continues to generate, together with the competent authorities, it has been decided that 2020 Mutua Madrid Open will not take place this year having previously been moved to September 12-20.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing the strong recommendation of the local health authorities, and having monitored the situation for months, the organizers of the Mutua Madrid Open have no choice but to cancel the tournament due to the complex situation that Covid-19 continues to generate in every regard.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition, and after a spike in Covid-19 cases, the community of Madrid announced a few days ago a number of new measures to control the virus\u2019 spread, including a directive that social gatherings are to be reduced to 10 people, both in public and private meetings, further reducing the feasibility of operating the tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n
The women\u2019s WTA Tour resumed this week with the Palermo Open, with one unidentified player pulling out on the eve of the tournament after testing positive for coronavirus, while the men\u2019s ATP Tour will start for the first time since March on August 22.<\/p>\n
That tournament, the Western & Southern Open, will serve as a warm-up event for the US Open, played on the same site a week later.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe WTA and ATP regret to confirm the cancellation of the 2020 Mutua Madrid Open, a decision that has been taken in line with local authorities due to health and safety concerns,\u201d said a joint statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would like to recognize the efforts of the tournament organizers who have gone to great lengths in exploring all options to run this year\u2019s tournament, despite the many challenges presented by Covid-19.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth tours are assessing updates to the 2020 provisional calendars in regards to events following the US Open and an update will be published in due course.\u201d<\/p>\n