Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep have expressed multiple times their aversion about playing the US Open because of the current pandemic. However, things are changing as the Madrid Open has been canceled and the Coronavirus seems to be quite a ni check in the New York State.
According to reports, both Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep decided to stay in the US Open entry list to decided what to do at the very end. While Rafael Nadal is the defending champion, Simona hasn’t a great memory of the 2019 US Open where she lost to Taylor Townsend 2-6 6-3 7-64 after a memorable match.
Simona Halep not playing in Palermo
Simona is well-known to be quite risk-averse when talking about traveling in “questionable” conditions. She was one of the few athletes not to participate in the Olympics in Rio because of the fear of the Zika virus. She has recently decided at the last minute not to compete in Palermo even if the conditions were deemed as relatively safe.
During a recent interview with the BBC, Simona commented:
“It will be a little difficult, it depends on restrictions and a little bit worried to make that move. I have no idea at the moment because nobody knows what is going to happen after this month. I will wait and see what is being decided, see what the other players will do.”
Reigning US Open champ Rafael Nadal has decided to stay on the US Open entry list. If he withdraws, decision will come closer to the tournament
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) August 3, 2020
Simona Halep has decided to remain on the entry list for the US Open. Could have withdrawn now if she knew for sure she was not going to make the trip. But the final decision on whether or not she plays will be made much closer to the tournament according to her team
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) August 3, 2020
Rafael Nadal in 2020
Currently the world no.2, the Spaniard played his last match on the 29th of February when he overcame Taylor Fritz 6-3 6-2 in the final in Acapulco to win his 85th career title.
This year Rafael has a 13-3 win-loss record. Nadal conquered 1 title in Acapulco.
Simona Halep in 2020
At the moment ranked no.2, Simona played her last match on the 22nd of February when she overcame Elena Rybakina 3-6 6-3 7-65 in the final in Dubai to win her 20th career title.
This season Halep has a 10-2 win-loss record. Halep conquered 1 title in Dubai.
Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep |
Embed from Getty Images |