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Tennis ace Rafael Nadal unsure about 2020 US Open taking place

Rafael Nadal admits he would not feel safe yet travelling to New York, where the US Open is due t...



Tennis ace Rafael Nadal unsure...
Other Sports

Tennis ace Rafael Nadal unsure about 2020 US Open taking place

Rafael Nadal admits he would not feel safe yet travelling to New York, where the US Open is due to take place at the end of August.

Just over two weeks ago, the WTA Tour, ATP Tour and the International Tennis Federation extended the ban on competitive tennis until July 31 while US Open organisers are still planning to start their rescheduled event on 31 August.

The tournament is staged at Flushing Meadows in Queens every year but Nadal will wait to see how the situation regarding the coronavirus pandemic develops before he commits to anything.

"If you asked me if I want to travel to New York today to play a tennis tournament, I will say no - I will not," Nadal told reporters in a video conference call on Thursday.

"In a couple of months? I don't know. Hopefully, yes.

"But we need to wait probably until we have more clear information about how the virus evolves and how the situation is going to be in New York in a couple of months.

"Because, of course, New York has been one of the places that have been very strongly hit by the virus. So let's see.''

Almost 17,000 people have died from Covid-19 in New York, where there has been over 200,000 cases of the disease.

The US Tennis Association is expected to make a further announcement on the US Open later this month.

Nadal is adamant that the health and safety of the competitors must be guaranteed before they can consider taking part at the Grand Slam event.

"We need to understand we are suffering an unprecedented situation and my feeling is we need to come back when all the players, from all the countries of the world, are able to travel under safe circumstances," he added.

"I want to see my sport being 100 per cent fair and correct.

"The key, of course, is to find a medicine that helps us to be sure we can travel and compete without being scared of having the virus and bringing back the virus home.

"My feeling is we need to wait a little bit more."

Tennis action has been suspended since March and the calendar has been hit badly by the pandemic with Wimbledon cancelled for the first time in 75 years.

The French Open was postponed and is currently rescheduled to be played at Roland Garros on 20 September.

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French Open Rafael Nadal US Open Wimbledon