Tennis has been on ice since mid-March and won’t return till early August. PHOTO: AFP
LONDON: As Rafael Nadal was described as wavering over defending his US Open title or getting ready for an assault on a 13th Roland Garros, Britain’s Andy Murray stated Saturday he fears for the security of prime gamers as tennis emerges from its five-month coronavirus lockdown.
Tennis has been on ice since mid-March and won’t return till early August.
The US Open will run from August 31 to September 13 on the onerous courts of New York with the rescheduled French Open on clay going down only a fortnight after.
In between are Masters occasions in Madrid and Rome, each on clay and in addition rescheduled from the spring.
“I have spoken to Rafa and he is doubting which tournaments to play,” Nadal’s uncle — and long-time former coach — Toni informed ESPN Deportes.
“The schedule is unrealistic, particularly for veteran gamers, who can’t compete for thus many weeks in a row.
“I think it is a bit ugly what the ATP has done. This decision is totally against players like Rafa and Novak Djokovic.”
Murray, in the meantime, expressed his fears over participant security in shortly switching from floor to floor.
He prompt {that a} rankings rethink is perhaps an answer.
“It’s not safe for players to go from the semis or final in New York, quarters even, and then you’re playing on the Tuesday in Madrid at altitude on the clay court, when players haven’t competed for a very long time,” stated Murray.
“None of the top players have competed a week before a Slam. The rankings, if you can keep the points as they are, could get a bit skewed.”
Murray added: “It is perhaps value doubtlessly a two-year rating in the intervening time in order that the blokes who did effectively final 12 months and aren’t in a position to defend their factors correctly aren’t punished.
“There are big tournaments every single week and it’s going to be very difficult for players that are winning consistently to commit to that many events. I just think we need to be a bit careful with the rankings.”
Murray, coming back from damage, went right down to a 1-6, 6-3, 10-Eight loss to Dan Evans within the semi-finals of the ‘Battle of the Brits’ event exhibition occasion in Roehampton on Saturday.
It was Murray’s fourth match in 5 days in his first occasion since final November after being sidelined due to bone bruising on his pelvis.
Murray additionally wanted hip surgical procedure final 12 months, however the 33-year-old is assured he’s heading again to his greatest.
“My game is there, I just need more time to practise and prepare and I’ll get there,” he stated.
