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Why, according to Toni Nadal, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic don't have many options. While tennis has stopped since the beginning of March due to the Coronavirus emergency, Rafael Nadal is preparing for the resumption of the 2020 season.
Just over a month after the resumption of the circuit, the World number 2 remains in shape by training in his Academy in Manacor. The Spaniard's uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, revealed how 19-time Grand Slam champion is facing this difficult situation.
Toni also focused on the impact that the suspension of the tour caused the former ATP number 1. Rafa will have to decide whether to go to New York to play the US Open, or to focus only on Roland Garros to try to match the Slam record of the eternal rival Roger Federer.
In the coming weeks we will certainly have updates on this.
Uncle Toni: 'Anyone benefited from this period'
"The time spent in isolation was quite long and complicated. We still don't know when this situation will end or when we will return to normal life.
Slowly, slowly we are heading for normalcy. We started training. At least we have the feeling that we can work and it helps us a lot. Rafa started training. He does everything gradually, day after day, but he looks good," said Toni Nadal, who then told: "The problem is what happens after this period.
How reconstruction will begin and return to normal life," Toni Nadal added. "I don't think anyone benefited from this period," Toni stated. He also said: "Top players missed almost a year in which they could win tournaments.
Everyone is at a disadvantage, there is no room for discussion. Those who were ready to make the leap have now been pulled back. Think of Rafael Nadal, when he was a kid and ranked 70th in the world, he wasn't too affected if that happened.
But now, this period can cost him a Grand Slam tournament. Think that Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal are at an age when they don't have many options," former-coach Toni Nadal observed. The new-look ATP Tour calendar intends to resume on Friday 14 August with the Citi Open, the ATP 500 event in Washington, D.C., followed by the Western & Southern Open, the Cincinnati ATP Masters 1000 event, to be hosted at Flushing Meadows, in the lead up to the US Open (31 August – 13 September).
Following New York, the Mutua Madrid Open and the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, ATP Masters 1000 events on clay in Madrid and Rome, respectively, will take place in September ahead of Roland Garros in Paris (27 September – 11 October), which will also feature a singles qualifying draw the week prior.