Tennis great Jim Courier believes Rafa Nadal may have played the US Open if the French Open had come before the Flushing Meadows classic.
“We would love to see Rafael Nadal here, I’m not gonna be diplomatic about this,” Courier said.
“I mean as the defending champion you wanna see him there. But it’s understandable given how they have had to compress the season and put the French Open now just a couple weeks after this Cincinnati-US Open series.
“I think if Roland Garros had been in front of the US Open he would have undoubtedly played the US Open but I just think this is a function of the season getting compressed into a very short pocket and him being cautious.
“I mean as the defending champion you wanna see him there. But it’s understandable given how they have had to compress the season and put the French Open now just a couple weeks after this Cincinnati-US Open series.”
Courier said he didn’t believe think Nadal’s concern was virus-related.
“It’s his physical ability to withstand the rigours of this restart having not played a tournament now since February,” he said.
Doping sanction victim Simona Halep has gone online to protest her own treatment by anti-doping…
Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…
Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…
Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…
Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…
Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…