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Major sporting leagues in America have started resuming play with the NBA and MLB already up and running and the NFL looking to get things underway shortly. Tennis is also set to resume with the U.S Open in New York set to commence from August 31.
There has been hardly any international tennis from March 2020 and many experts predicted that there would be no international tennis till the end of the year. U.S Open organizers are defying the order by going ahead with the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year.
The U.S Open is arguably the second most popular Grand Slam after Wimbledon and the prize money on the line is huge.
However, a number of players are not willing to play the 2020 U.S open because they believe the risk is too great. One of these players is Rafael Nadal.
Nadal had the opportunity of playing the U.S Open and tying the record of most Grand Slam wins (20) which is currently held by his long-time rival Roger Federer. However, the 34 year old took to Twitter to confirm that he will not be participating in the 2020 U.S. Open due to the risk of contracting COVID-19.
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. We have just seen the announcement of Madrid not being played this year.
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) August 4, 2020
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 Spaniard said that this was a decision he never wanted to take but in the end had to be taken. He pointed out that given the fact that America hasn’t controlled the spread of COVID-19 and since there is no official cure for virus, he wasn’t willing to put himself at risk.
He did pay his respect to the U.S Tennis Association and the organizers of the U.S. Open and ATP for doing their best to get tennis up and running again.
ESPN
A Number Of Top Players Will Miss Out
Swiss great Roger Federer will also miss out on the 2020 U.S. Open because he is still recovering from injury. Federer went through two knee surgeries and could very well be out for the rest of this year.
The no 1 player in the women’s division, Ashleigh Barty has also confirmed that she will not play the U.S. Open. There are also reports that the 2019 U.S. Open winner Bianca Andreescu will not defend her championship.
Fans will be disappointed by the absence of these top players. The last time a Grand Slam tournament took place without both Federer and Nadal was the 1999 U.S. Open.
