Rafael Nadal confirmed on Tuesday that he will not defend his US Open Crown this year. He will be absent at the Flushing Meadows as organisers released the singles entry list for the Grand Slam. The World number-two earlier said in June that he had reservations about travelling to the US amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He, however, will skip the tournament due to COVID-19 concerns.
“After many thoughts I have decided not to play this year’s U.S. 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. We know that the reduced tennis calendar is barbaric this year after 4 months stopped with no play, I understand and thank (everyone) for the efforts they are putting in to make it happen.”
The United States has the highest tally of coronavirus cases in the world. It has more than 4.7 million coronavirus cases and nearly 156,000 deaths as per a Reuters tally.