Connect with us

Sports

Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic To Headline U.S. Open Warmup Event in New York

Published

on

Defending U.S. Open champion Rafael Nadal and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic will headline the U.S. Open warmup event next month in New York, it was announced Wednesday.

Djokovic will be the No. 1 seed and Nadal the 2 for the Western & Southern Open running Aug. 22-28 in the lead-up to the Open. The event was moved to New York from Cincinnati this year to create a tennis bubble at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

It is expected that both players will remain in New York and then play the U.S. Open Aug. 31-Sept 13.

There had been speculation that one or both players might skip the U.S. Open to focus on the French Open, which begins Sept. 27.

 

On the men’s side, Dominic Thiem, Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, Matteo Berrettini and David Goffin round out the top eight seeds at the Western & Southern Open. Roger Federer, the all-time men’s leader with 20 Grand Slam titles, previously announced he was done for 2020 with knee surgery.

 

READ MORE:

 

In Novak Djokovic’s words: ‘I can beat Rafael Nadal on clay’

 

Also absent among the top men are No. 9-ranked Gael Monfils and No. 17 Stan Wawrinka.

The top American men include John Isner, Taylor Fritz and Reilly Opelka.

 

 

Serena Williams, the 23-time major champion who previously announced her intentions to play the U.S. Open, is the No. 5 seed at the Western & Southern. Karolina Pliskova, Sofia Kenin, Kiki Bertens and Belinda Bencic are the top four seeds.

Coco Gauff, who made a run to the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2019, highlights the group of American women that also includes Madison Keys, Alison Riske and Amanda Anisimova.

Among the top-ranked women missing the event are No. 1 Ash Barty, No. 2 Simona Halep, No. 5 Elina Svitolina, No. 6 Bianca Andreescu, the reigning U.S. Open champ, and No. 10 Naomi Osaka, the 2018 Open champ.

Thiem, ranked No. 3 in the world, said in an interview with CNN Sport it was “tough to imagine” the U.S. Open taking place without fans due to the pandemic.

Thiem, the 2019 French Open finalist, said he believes the Open will be “safe.”

“If it’s going to happen, I’m very sure that it’s safe, and I’m also going to play because it’s time that the normal tour is coming back.

 

Nadal has been practicing on clay in his native Spain and it appeared that he might skip the U.S. Open to focus on the French Open, which he has won 12 times. He’s already committed to the Madrid Open, which begins the day after the U.S. Open final. Now it’s clear he intends to play both events.

Djokovic was filmed training on hardcourts in Serbia and has said he would play the U.S. Open if he can skip the quarantine upon his return to Europe.

 

Djokovic was spotted in Spain this week without a mask even after he received criticism for his ill-fated Adria Tour on which four players, including Djokovic and Thiem, tested positive for the virus. Both have since recovered.

“It was obviously a mistake,” Thiem said of the lack of social distancing and the partying that went on during the Adria Tour.

“Everybody that tested positive is healthy again. I think everybody learned from that mistake….It was a mistake. Everybody regrets it of course but it’s time to look in the future.

Thiem feels Djokovic has been unfairly shamed and punished for his role in the Adria Toru.

“Of course it was unfair to him because he didn’t break any law and he didn’t force any player to come there,” Thiem said. “It was everybody, our own decision. The whole event was for a very good cause in general.”

 

Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

kayley cuoco
Entertainment2 years ago

Kaley Cuoco Stuns In See-Through Dress Photo After Making Comment That Will Disappoint Her Husband, Karl Cook__see photos

Entertainment2 years ago

Jessica Simpson Lifts Her Skirt Up While Showing Off Look__check

News2 years ago

Becky Lynch And Seth Rollins Welcome Their Baby Girl,Roux

kayley cuoco
Hollywood2 years ago

Kaley Cuoco Stuns In Nightie Highlighting ‘Iconic’ Feature

jessica alba
Entertainment2 years ago

WATCH VIDEO: Jessica Alba Just Shared A Sweaty, Abs-tastic selfie video and looks Sparkingly-superb.

jessica alba and love hewitt
Entertainment2 years ago

Rate:Jessica Alba Vs. Jennifer Love Hewitt: which beauty reigns supreme? Whose photos is more Unique?__check this Out

kayley
Hollywood2 years ago

WATCH : Kaley Cuoco’s New Nightie-Filled Instagram Account Goes Viral – check

Entertainment2 years ago

“Oh my goodness! see how cute she is”…WWE stars react over Becky’s baby….

Jennifer Love Hewitt
Entertainment2 years ago

Jennifer Love Hewitt reveals ample cleavage as she strolled down the street in the Californian sunshine__See Photos

Entertainment2 years ago

Carrie Underwood Kills ‘Em In Bikini For Massive Brag

Entertainment2 years ago

WATCH:Jennifer Love Hewitt Stuns As She Posted Video Of Her Newest Look “My New look and new vibes!”

Entertainment2 years ago

Jennifer Garner Flaunts Fit Figure in Swimsuit During Beach Day___See Photos

Entertainment2 years ago

See what Jennifer Love Hewitt looks like now,she is unrecognizable__you are never going to believe your eyes…

Jennifer Love Hewitt
Entertainment2 years ago

PHOTOS: Jennifer Love Hewitt says, “I love my body.” — Jennifer Love tells all girls to put on a bikini

Kaley Cuoco Wore $46 Worth of Drugstore Makeup for Her Wedding
Hollywood2 years ago

Kaley Cuoco Makes A Big Bang Shirtless With No Shoes



Trending