Rafael Nadal withdraws from US Open; shouldn’t Grand Slam be cancelled at this point?

The US Open reigning champion, Rafael Nadal, will not be defending his title

Rafael Nadal announced via Twitter that he does not want to risk traveling to the US Open, scheduled to take place at the end of the month, amid COVID-19 concerns.

His withdrawal is the latest blow to tennis, which is grappling with further cancellations and a shaky build-up to a regular season.

"“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,” Nadal said in his Twitter thread.“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.”"

The 33-year-old Nadal is opting to remain in Europe and will likely prepare for the French Open, which is scheduled to take place after the US Open, Sept. 27, with limited fans.

Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal is the latest sign the Grand Slam should be cancelled

Nadal joins the world No. 1 on the women’s side, Ashleigh Barty, by withdrawing from New York.

Tennis has been hit particularly hard by coronavirus concerns, having dwindled down to a limited calendar and no spectators for most events. Due to its international nature, tennis has had a difficult time bouncing back to a regular schedule, with so many players required to travel across the globe. Nadal’s announcement comes on the heels of the Madrid Open’s cancellation earlier in the day.

Many have questioned the intention to move forward, with so few players enthusiastic to travel across oceans for various events. The WTA roster at the US Open is particularly bereft of marquee names, however Serena Williams has confirmed she’s playing.

Novak Djokovic has gone back and forth about his own participation at Flushing Meadows, but is likely to head there. Roger Federer is out for the rest of the year due to his knee injury, although fans were treated to this lovely video of him playing with two teenagers on the rooftops of Liguria, Italy:

twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/1289364637691985920

Considering the debacle of Djokovic’s Adria Tour and COVID-19 fallout, is it any wonder that many are asking why the ATP and WTA are insisting that the remaining two Grand Slams move forward? And if the Big Three don’t play the US Open, we will have a new champion, but will it even feel legitimate?

Wimbledon took the more responsible decision to cancel outright and come back in 2021. The US Open and the French Open should do the same. Tennis is better off concentrating on smaller tournaments for now.

The US Open is scheduled for Aug. 31 (for now).