Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer Are Not Competing in the 2020 U.S. Open

From Good Housekeeping

Tennis fans around the globe couldn't be more excited that the U.S. Open is finally here.

This year's tournament will run from August 31 through September 13 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City. While the event will surely feature lots of big names in tennis — Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Simona Halep, to name a few — two marquee players have opted to skip the U.S. Open this year: Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Per Yahoo, it's the first time Rafael and Roger have both skipped a Grand Slam event since 1999.

So, why are Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer not at the 2020 U.S. Open?

Despite winning last year's U.S. Open men's singles title, Rafael has decided to opt out of this year's tournament over COVID-19 concerns. On Twitter, he wrote,"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 34-year-old four-time U.S. Open winner also tweeted: "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."

While acknowledging Rafael's decision, singles champion Martina Navratilova reportedly told reporters on a Tennis Channel conference call that opting out of the U.S. Open was a good move — one that would help him in his quest to secure his 13th championship win at the French Open in Paris later this fall.

“Being Rafa, being the age he is, how difficult it is to travel, his best chance to win the French Open is by not coming to New York,” Martina allegedly explained. “I would have been surprised had he played actually.”

Martina also said that the regulations around the U.S. Open are "much more restrictive" than they are for the French Open amid the ongoing pandemic. “As much of a creature of habit as [Rafael] is, as we know, I'm thinking about him always playing the game with three people, playing this board game before matches for hours on end. You can only bring two people with him, as far as I understand. Who would he play that game with? I don't know."

As far as Roger's decision goes, the 20-time Grand Slam champion is opting out of all major tennis competitions until 2021. ESPN reports that Roger had arthroscopic knee surgery in February. Unfortunately, due to a rehabilitation setback following that surgery, he had to have another "quick arthroscopic procedure" on his right knee. Now, the tennis great is focusing on his recovery.

"I will be missing my fans and the tour dearly but I will look forward to seeing everyone back on tour at the start of the 2021 season," he tweeted.

Tennis fans know this isn't the first time Roger has struggled with his knee. In 2016, he had to have surgery for a torn meniscus, resulting in him missing the Dubai and Indian Wells Open. But being the true champion that he is, Roger rallied and ended up winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2017.

Needless to say, the two superstar athletes will be missed. But perhaps this will give other U.S. Open players a better shot at the title. It should make for an interesting two weeks of tennis.

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