Uncle Toni on Rafael Nadal: "I think he made a wise decision"
In an interview with the Spanish medium El Larguero,Toni Nadaljudged his nephew's decision not to play the US Open to be wise.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Aug 08, 2020, 12:52 pm
It was the bang of the week. Rafael Nadal, number two in the world rankings and defending champion, will not play the US Open. The Spaniard announced this on social networks. "This is a decision I never wanted to make, but I have decided to follow my heart this time and I prefer not to travel for the time being," said Nadal.
The situation around COVID-19 is still too tense, he doesn't think it is already under control. In New York City, home of the US Open, there have been over 230,000 confirmed cases since the beginning of the year, and more than 20,000 people have fallen victim to the virus. Many players are therefore worried about the USA, where the tour will resume with the Southern & Western Open in around two weeks.
Accordingly, Toni Nadal, Rafael Nadal's uncle, reacts in an interview to his nephew's rejection: "I think he made a wise decision. If you know that you are in a risky situation, you want to be Be close to home. In New York you don't know if everything is under control. "
Rafael Nadal in great shape
He generally understands if players don't want to travel to tournaments during these times, because the long duration of these makes it all the more likely that sooner or later you will come into contact with the virus. At the same time, Uncle Toni gives hope that Rafael Nadal will at least compete in Rome and Paris: "Now that Rome and Paris are getting closer, Rafa already knows that he is at a time in which he has to prepare well, if he wants to achieve great things. "
In general, his nephew is in great shape, having worked very hard over the past few weeks. "An athlete has to compete, and if you prolong the training without playing tournaments, you obviously lose a little concentration," says Toni Nadal, knowing how important it is for players to play matches. Matches that Rafael Nadal will not play until after the US Open.