Defending champion Nadal won't play US Open, slams schedule

Defending champion Rafael Nadal said Tuesday he will not play the US Open, citing concerns over the coronavirus and slamming tennis's "barbaric" revised calendar.

"After many thoughts I have decided not to play this year's US Open," Nadal said on Twitter.

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"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.

The US Open in New York, scheduled for Aug. 31 through Sept. 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.

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.

Schedule concern

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."

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.