DEFENDING champion Rafael Nadal of Spain will skip the U.S. Open due to the spread of COVID-19 while world number one Novak Djokovic from Serbia headlines the initial men’s singles entry list for the Grand Slam event, the organizers announced Tuesday.

“After many thoughts, I have decided not to play this year’s U.S. Open,” Nadal said Tuesday. “The situation is very complicated worldwide, the COVID-19 cases are increasing, it looks like we still don’t have control of it.”

“We know that the reduced tennis calendar is barbaric this year after four months stopped with no play, I understand and thank for the efforts they are putting in to make it happen,” the 19-time Grand Slam champion added.

“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 world number two said.

In last year’s final, Nadal edged Daniil Medvedev of Russia 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 in four hours and 50 minutes for his fourth U.S. Open title.

Despite the absence of Nadal, three-time champion Novak Djokovic will lead the men’s playing field, featuring younger ATP Tour stars Dominic Thiem of Austria, last year’s runner-up Medvedev and German Alexander Zverev, who will all be eying an opportunity to make their Grand Slam breakthrough.

Swiss mogul Roger Federer will also be absent from the U.S. Open due to two operations on his right knee this year.

The U.S. Open is slated for Aug. 31-Sept. 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center of New York.

Meanwhile, the Madrid Open tennis tournament, scheduled to take place between Sept. 12 and 20, has been canceled due to fresh outbreaks of coronavirus in the region, organizers confirmed Tuesday.

The tournament, which is one of the most important in the season, had originally due to be celebrated at the start of May, but was rescheduled.

The Italian Open is due to go ahead in Rome in the week leading up to the grand slam at Roland Garros but it remains to be seen how other competitions react.

(Xinhua)