Chris Evert feels Novak Djokovic might ‘want to take advantage’ if Rafael Nadal opts to skip US Open

US Open
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic

Former world No 1 Chris Evert admits she doubts that Rafael Nadal will risk playing in the US Open and feels Novak Djokovic might “want to take advantage” if several top players decide to sit out the tournament.

The hard-court Grand Slam will take place at Flushing Meadows from August 31-September 13, but it will be played without spectators with stringent health and safety measures in place.

However, some of the biggest stars of the game, including Djokovic and Nadal, have expressed concerns about playing in the United States due to the recent spike in coronavirus cases and the strict protocols.

Evert believes someone like Nadal might be better off preparing for the French Open, which will take place from September 20 to October, while Djokovic could play as he looks to edge closer to Roger Federer and Nadal in the race for most Grand Slams.

“I wonder if Nadal is going to take that chance of coming over here [to the United States], playing on hard courts, maybe getting injured, maybe not even winning it when he could just stay in Europe and practise on the clay,” she told Ubitennis during an interview.

She added: “If Djokovic sees Nadal and Federer and maybe a couple of other players not playing, and he’s chasing the numbers, wouldn’t he want to take advantage of that and come over and win it?”

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Chris Evert Novak Djokovic Rafael Nadal

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