TheCable

Rafael Nadal, a Spanish tennis player, says he will not take part in this year’s US Open tennis tournament due to COVID-19 fears.

The 19-time Grand Slam winner and US Open defending champion broke the news via his social media handles on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old cited fears of travelling due to continued rise in COVID-19 cases worldwide, stating that the novel virus is not yet under control.

“After many thoughts I have decided not to play this year’s US Open. The situation is very complicated worldwide, the COVID-19 cases are increasing, it looks like we still don’t have control of it,” he wrote.

“We know that the reduced tennis calendar is barbaric this year after 4 months stopped with no play, I understand and thank for the efforts they are putting in to make it happen. We have just seen the announcement of Madrid not being played this year.

“All my respects to the USTA, the US Open organisers and the ATP for trying to put the event together for the players and the fans around the world through TV. 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.

“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.”

We know that the reduced tennis calendar is barbaric this year after 4 months stopped with no play, I understand and thank for the efforts they are putting in to make it happen. We have just seen the announcement of Madrid not being played this year.

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) August 4, 2020

Apart from Nadal, Nick Kyrgios and the injured Roger Federer are the other high profile male players set to miss the tournament.

The United States presently has over 4.5 million COVID-19 cases and more than 150,000 deaths reported.

The US Open, which will be played in empty stadiums, is scheduled to start on August 31, at Flushing Meadows in New York.