NEW YORK – Rafael Nadal described Novak Djokovic’s absence from the US Open as “very sad news”, as he returns to the tournament for the first time in three years.
The Wimbledon champion is sitting out his second grand slam of the season because of his ongoing refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
The Spanish legend has not played in New York since defeating Daniil Medvedev in five sets to lift the 2019 title.
Nadal has added three more Grand Slam singles titles to his haul since that victory, taking his total to 22 — the all-time men’s record.
While the 36-year-old will be looking to add to that tally over the next fortnight in New York, Nadal admitted that the absence of Djokovic left him “very sad.” Djokovic confirmed he will play no part in the tournament after refusing to get vaccinated against Covid-19 — placing him at odds with US government travel requirements for international visitors.
“From my personal perspective, it’s very sad news,” Nadal said according to AFP.
“It’s always a shame when the best players of the world are not able to play a tournament because of injuries or because of different reasons.
“In this case, not having one of the best players of the history in the draw of Grand Slam is always an important miss, no?
“Tough for the fans, tough for the tournament. In my opinion, tough for the players, too, because we want to have the best field possible.”
Yet despite Djokovic’s absence, Nadal is adamant that the tournament will not be diminished by the non-participation of the Serbian great, who is just one behind the Spaniard in Grand Slam singles titles with 21.
“I repeat what I said plenty of times: the sport in some ways is bigger than any player,” Nadal said.
“I missed a lot of important events in my tennis career because of injuries, without a doubt. Last year I was not here. Two years ago I was not here. The tournament continues. The world of tennis keep going.
“Even if is not a good news for everyone, the world continues and the tennis will continue after me, after Novak, after Roger (Federer).” Nadal started 2022 in blistering fashion, winning both the Australian and French Opens before an abdominal muscle injury forced him to scratch from the Wimbledon semi-finals.
He returned from that injury at the Cincinnati Masters this month but exited in the second round. Nadal said Friday he had been protecting the injury during his Cincinnati comeback.
“It’s a tough injury because it’s dangerous, it’s risky,” he said. “When you have a scar, it’s a place that you put lot of effort when you are serving.
“I take it very easy in the Cincinnati, too, in the practices. The match, I try my best without putting all the effort there on the serve.” Nadal, who opens his US Open campaign against Australian wild card entrant Rinky Hijikata on Tuesday, was cautiously optimistic about his preparations.
“I am doing things the best way that I can,” he said. “I hope to be ready for the action, no? That’s the only thing that I can say.
World number one Daniil Medvedev said he was disappointed his US Open title defence at Flushing Meadows would kick off without Djokovic, after the 21-times major winner was unable to travel to the United States. “I wish he would play here,” Medvedev said according to Reuters ahead of the US Open main draw, which starts on Monday.
“The rivalry against Rafa (Nadal) is really I feel like heating up in a way. Twenty-two, 21 (Grand Slams), a joke of a number,” he said referring to the number of major titles won by Nadal and Djokovic respectively.
“It’s a pity he (Djokovic) is not here. It would be a great story I think for tennis. Not only tennis-wise, but it’s not us tennis players, it’s American government rules. Completely understandable also.”
Medvedev rolls into the US Open after a handful of uneven performances, winning at Los Cabos before suffering a shock early exit in Montreal. He reached the semi-finals at Cincinnati, where he has often thrived.
“The biggest challenge always is to play tennis,” he said. “I say this because we want to win every tournament. I mean, I managed to win only one this year, but I played maybe 12, 13, 14. I want to win every of them that I play. It’s always a constant challenge.”
His hunger for a second major title is as fierce as ever after losing a five-set thriller to Nadal in the Australian Open final. The six-foot six-inch, power-serving Russian said he wanted to try “something big” in New York.
