Rafael Nadal on US Open: ‘Going from hard court to clay would’ve been dangerous for my body’

Rafael Nadal has revealed that moving from the hard-court season to the clay-court season played a major role in his decision to skip the US Open as it would have been “dangerous for my body and my future”.
The world No 2 last week became the highest-profile male player to withdraw from this year’s US Open as he cited the coronavirus pandemic as the major reason for not defending his title.
Rafael Nadal insists US Open ‘is still a big tournament, it’s a Grand Slam’ despite withdrawals
However, the 19-time Grand Slam winner says the fact that the clay-court season follows directly after the US Open also had an impact.
The Flushing Meadows major runs from August 31-September 13 with the Austrian Open starting on September 7 followed by the Italian Open on September 21 before the red-dirt season draws to a conclusion with the French Open starting September 20.
“The health situation is the first basic inconvenience when making my decision,” Nadal said.
“The situation seems not in full control, so in this case, after consulting with my team, we decided to skip the US Open.
“Second, the schedule is challenging after many months without competing.
“Going from hard-court to clay, with hardly any time for preparation, is dangerous for my body and my future.
“Then, it is a matter of a personal spirit. The situation is as it is, and my spirit was not high enough to travel to New York and compete.
“If I am going to compete, all my senses have to be focused on competition to perform at my best, and it would have been difficult to achieve that.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official.
Latest
-
French Open
French Open: Naomi Osaka handed tough first round assignment
Naomi Osaka takes on seeded oppostion in the French Open first round.
-
French Open
Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic thrown together in French Open draw
Tournament favourites Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are uncomfortably close in the French Open draw.
-
French Open
Carlos Alcaraz makes 23-year-old top ten player feel old
Carlos Alcaraz makes Casper Ruud feel like time is getting away from him.
-
French Open
Casper Ruud a big fan of Ons Jabeur and Simona Halep
Ons Jabeur claimed the Madrid Open title earlier this month.
-
French Open
Exclusive – Annabel Croft on ‘big match player’ Emma Raducanu’s prospects for this summer
Annabel Croft has backed teenager Raducanu to defy some of her doubters this summer.
-
French Open
French Open: Rafael Nadal slips, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz favourite
Rafael Nadal is still considered a strong contender for the French Open crown.
-
Tennis News
Roger Federer comeback on track as agent reveals Swiss icon is keen to have a crack at Wimbledon 2023
Roger Federer “won’t rush back this time”.
-
French Open
French Open talking points: Ashleigh Barty void, Emma Raducanu’s pain, Hawk-Eye snub
A few talking points ahead of the 2022 French Open.
-
French Open
Red-hot Iga Swiatek ’embracing’ the pressure ahead of French Open, says Martina Navratilova
Iga Swiatek is thriving.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic ‘rose in Belgrade’, says tennis pundit as he highlights ‘turning point’ in world No 1’s season
Novak Djokovic “very close to his best form”.