Spaniard Rafael Nadal regretted on Friday the absence from the United States Open of Serbian Novak Djokovic, forced to give up participating in the New York Grand Slam because of his refusal to be vaccinated once morest COVID-19.
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He considers this to be “very sad news”.
“From my point of view, this is very sad news,” said Nadal, 3e at a press conference, three days before the start of the tournament.
“It’s always a shame when the best players in the world can’t play in a tournament due to injury or other reasons. In this case, not having one of the best players in history in the table of a Grand Slam, it still represents a significant lack. It’s tough for the fans, tough for the tournament. In my opinion, hard for the players also because we want to have the best possible conditions of competition”, maintained the Spaniard.
“In a way, the sport is bigger than any player,” added the Spaniard.
“Even though it’s not good news for everyone, the Earth keeps spinning, and tennis will go on following me, following Novak, following Roger. [Federer]“Said the four-time winner of the United States Open, who has not played in New York since his coronation in 2019.
A serious injury
On Thursday, Djokovic had announced, shortly before the draw for the event in which he was the runner-up last year, that he might not participate in the tournament this year because he cannot travel to the United States. United, for lack of being vaccinated once morest COVID-19.
“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to travel to New York this year. Good luck to my fellow players!” wrote on his Twitter account the Serbian, 6e world, who hoped until the last moment for a change in health measures requiring vaccination once morest COVID-19 to enter American territory.
Nadal, the record holder of Grand Slam titles (22) missed the US Open last year due to recurring pain in his left foot. This year, following his victories at the Australian Open and then at Roland-Garros, he was forced to forfeit the semi-finals of Wimbledon due to an abdominal tear. An injury to which he knows he will have to remain attentive.
“It’s a serious injury, because it remains at risk. It is a part of the body that is very stressed when you serve. I was careful in Cincinnati, I take care of myself in training and, during games, I try not to force my serves too much. I do things the best I can.”
