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September 9, 2020

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Home » Sports » Tennis

Nadal to return, Barty stays out

Source: AP | 00:05 UTC+8 September 9, 2020 | Print Edition

Rafael Nadal is preparing his return to tennis after a seven-month layoff at next week’s Italian Open.

“The Foro Italico is always a special place for me and even more so this year as it will be my first tournament following a long period without playing,” Nadal, who has won the Rome tournament a record nine times, said in a video message played at the event’s presentation yesterday.

Because of concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic, Nadal preferred not to travel to New York for the ongoing US Open. He last played in February, when he won a tournament in Acapulco, Mexico.

The September 14-21 Italian Open, which was postponed from its usual slot in May, will therefore be Nadal’s main preparation for the French Open later this month.

Top-ranked Novak Djokovic, who was disqualified from the US Open, is also entered.

In all, 19 of the top 20 men’s players are taking part, with only No. 4 Roger Federer missing because of injury.

Four-time champion Serena Williams headlines a women’s field that features nine of the top-10 ranked players — with top-ranked Ashleigh Barty the only big name missing.

Barty cited potential health risks associated with COVID-19 when she announced earlier yesterday that she would not be traveling to Europe for either the Italian or French Opens.

No fans will be permitted inside to watch matches at the Foro Italico and players will be placed inside a “bubble” similar to that at the US Open. There will be frequent virus tests for players, coaches and others working at the tournament.

Players traveling from New York and other areas will not be subjected to the 14-day quarantine rule being applied to normal travelers — as long as they do not test positive for COVID-19.

Without ticket sales, prize money has been reduced by 40 percent from last year’s tournament.

“The economic damage to our federation is enormous,” said Angelo Binaghi, the president of the Italian Tennis Federation.

Binaghi was holding out hope until a few days ago that the regional Lazio government would allow a limited number of spectators at the tournament.

“It certainly would have made more economic sense to cancel the tournament, as many others have done,” Binaghi said, adding that he expects the ATP Tour to approve a new tournament for Sardinia in October — only for this year.

Meanwhile, Barty has prioritized her health over her status as women’s No. 1 by opting out of a second Grand Slam event during the pandemic, skipping a title defense at the French Open.

The 24-year-old Australian said it was a tough decision, particularly because Roland Garros is where she captured her first major title last year.

“Last year’s French Open was the most special tournament of my career so this is not a decision I have made lightly,” Barty said in a statement yesterday. “I wish the players and the French Federation all the best for a successful tournament.”

The statement was issued within hours of French Open organizers saying spectators would be allowed at the tournament despite a growing number of coronavirus cases in the country.

Barty cited potential health risks associated with COVID-19 and her interrupted preparation as the main reasons for pulling out of the tournaments. She hasn’t been able to practice with her coach, Craig Tyzzer, recently because of domestic border closures within Australia. Barty lives in Queensland, which has become Australia’s hub for professional sports during the pandemic, and Tyzzer lives interstate.

Barty, No. 2-ranked Simona Halep and 2019 champion Bianca Andreescu were among the top players who withdrew from the US Open women’s draw.

The WTA has revised its women’s ranking system to accommodate for the pandemic, given the wide variations in travel and other restrictions around the world. Barty has a big lead, but could be challenged by the likes of Halep.

Under the revised system, a player’s ranking will be comprised of her best 16 results in singles based on the points earned between March 2019 through December 2020, which the WTA is calling the “Better of 2019 and 2020” points earned at tour-level and Grand Slam events.

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