Nadal looks to extend record as unvaccinated Djokovic misses out on US Open

While Nadal trains in New York, career-long rival Djokovic will remain in Europe after finally giving up hope of a last-minute change of Covid policy by the US authorities.

The famously unvaccinated Djokovic, who won the last of his three US Open crowns in 2018, is barred from entering the United States for refusing to take the vaccine. (AFP Archive)

Rafael Nadal targets a fifth US Open and 23rd Grand Slam title in New York from next week with his path to the title no longer blocked by Novak Djokovic, whose refusal to get vaccinated has ruled him out of a second major this year. Nineteen years after making his debut, the 36-year-old Nadal drags his injury-prone body into a tournament he won in 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2019, the year of his last appearance. "I need to move forward and just start to think about the energy that the crowd give me in New York," said Nadal, who has already captured two of the season's three Slams at the Australian and French Opens. "It's a very special place for me, and I enjoy it. There have been unforgettable moments there, and I'm going to try my very best every single day to be ready for that." Nadal has become accustomed to overcoming setbacks, winning a 14th French Open in June despite playing the whole tournament with pain-killing injections in his foot. An added incentive for Nadal is the opportunity to reclaim the world number one spot from defending champion Daniil Medvedev, the man he defeated in the 2019 final. READ MORE: Isner, de Minaur fill out Team World spots for Laver Cup 'See you soon' While Nadal trains in New York, career-long rival Djokovic will remain in Europe after finally giving up hope of a last-minute change of Covid policy by the US authorities. The famously unvaccinated Djokovic, who won the last of his three US Open crowns in 2018, is barred from entering the United States for refusing to take the vaccine. "Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open," tweeted Djokovic, 90 minutes before the tournament draw took place on Friday. "Good luck to my fellow players. I'll keep in good shape and positive spirit and wait for an opportunity to compete again. "See you soon tennis world!" Tennis legend John McEnroe had blasted the Djokovic ban as a "joke" "At this point, in the pandemic, we're two and a half years in, I think people in all parts of the world know more about it, and the idea that he can't travel here to play, to me is a joke," said McEnroe. Ironically, during the height of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, Djokovic was allowed to compete at New York where he was champion in 2011, 2015 and 2018. The 35-year-old, who saw his bid for a first men's calendar Grand Slam since 1969 ended by Medvedev in the 2021 US Open final, hasn't played since securing a seventh Wimbledon title last month, a victory which extended his Slam record to 21. His controversial vaccination stance also saw him deported from Melbourne in January where he had been hoping to defend his Australian Open title. With Roger Federer still absent from the tour and with question marks over Nadal's fitness and Djokovic's absence, the race for the men's title is likely to be as open as recent years. Source: AFP

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Nadal not discouraged by losing after six-week injury layoff

Nadal had not played a competitive match since pulling out of his Wimbledon semi-final against Kyrgios due to injury in early July.

"In terms of practice, I need to start to be in a Grand Slam mode, practising the way that I need to practise to be competitive," says Rafael Nadal (Reuters)

Rafa Nadal was not too downhearted by defeat at the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday after the Spaniard lost 7-6(9) 4-6 6-3 to Borna Coric on his return from a six-week injury layoff.

Nadal, who will aim for a record-extending 23rd Gram Slam title at the US Open, had not played a competitive match since pulling out of his Wimbledon semi-final against Nick Kyrgios due to an abdominal injury in early July.

The 36-year-old also withdrew from last week's ATP Masters event in Montreal due to the issue but did not seem hampered by it against former world number 12 Coric, and instead put his defeat down to a lack of time on court.

"Obviously I didn't play my best match, something that can happen," Nadal told reporters. "So coming back from a tough period of time, something that's easy to accept and easy to say congrats to Borna that he played better.

"I need to improve. I need to practise. I need to return better. I need days, and that's the truth. It's obvious that I was not ready enough to win the match today.

"(It) has been a difficult injury to manage. The last month and a half haven't been easy."

READ MORE: Rafa Nadal skips Barcelona Open due to rib injury

"I am positive"

Flushing Meadows has been a happy hunting ground for Nadal, who has won the US Open four times, the last title coming in 2019.

He will undergo tests to confirm everything is fine with the injury, which he said still created doubt in his mind during his service motion.

"I am positive," he said. "In terms of practice, I need to start to be in a Grand Slam mode, practising the way that I need to practise to be competitive since the beginning there, and I hope I will be able to make that happen.

"I need to move forward and just start to think about the energy that the crowd gives me in New York. I know it's a very special place for me, and I enjoy it, unforgettable moments there, and I'm going to try my very best every single day to be ready for that."

The US Open starts on August 29. 

READ MORE: Nadal ready for Roland Garros despite injury

Source: Reuters

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