Rafael Nadal has joined the list of players to opt out of the US Open for fears of COVID-19 pandemic. The reigning champion has expressed fears about travelling to the USA due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
USA has been the worst hit nation with the virus with nearly 50 lakh positive COVID-19 cases resulting in over 1.60 lakh deaths till date.
The US Open in New York has been rescheduled for August 31 to September 13.
Players are anxious about travelling to New York, which has been a hotspot for the virus infection, which still doesn’t have a confirmed anti-dote.
Nadal joins the likes of world No 1 Australian sensation Ashleigh Barty and Nick Kyrgios to opt out of the Grand Slam event.
Nadal’s withdrawal will take more sheen off the US Open as Swiss icon Roger Federer, who was recovering from a surgery is also not participating in the event.
It will be the first occasion since 1999, that the US will be played without the two legends – Federer and Nadal.
The absence of Nadal and Federer makes world No. 1 Novak Djokovic a firm favourite for the US Open 2020 men’s singles crown.
Meanwhile, world No. 7, Alexander Zverev has also expressed concerns about travelling to New York due to the prevailing COVID-19 threat in the USA.