Top tennis stars faces fitness battle prior to the US Open (Part One) – Tennis Special
King of Clay Rafael Nadal, Olympic Champion Andy Murray, French top ranked Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Belarusian number one Victoria Azarenka and former world number one Maria Sharapova are all facing a race against time to recover before
the US Open, a major hard court tournament held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Rafael Nadal:
The former world number one pulled out from his third consecutive summer tournament after withdrawing at the Western and Southern Open due to a knee injury.
Nadal stated in a social networking site prior to the event, last major tune-up before the Grand Slam:
“Hi all, another message to announce something that definitely doesn’t make me happy, but unfortunately I won’t be competing at the tournament in Cincinnati next week. I am still not ready to play. I am continuing with my recup
and practice. Thanks!”
Currently ranked third at the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Nadal last played at the Wimbledon Championships where he suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of Czech Republic’s Lukas Rosol. However, he suffered
a knee injury afterwards and was forced to skip the London Olympics and the Rogers Cup.
The 26-year-old has never missed Cincinnati Masters and Rogers Cup. He has returned on courts for practice but is still not ready for the major hard court event starting at the end of this month.
Nadal is scheduled for the US Open and Davis Cup at his home soil.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga:
French number one, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters due to a freaky accident in Toronto. However, he is hopeful of recovering before the last Grand Slam starts.
"Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has had to pull out of the Cincinnati tournament because of an unfortunate accident on Thursday in the streets of Toronto," Tsonga’s agent said in a statement after this accident.
The world number six suffered a first round loss against his compatriot, Jeremy Chardy, at the Rexall Centre. He went on to wander in Toronto when he walked straight into a fire hydrant sticking outside a building. He is been told
to rest for few days and is expected to return at the Flushing Meadows.
"Jo had to have eight stitches in his right knee and has been told to rest for ten days. His participation in the US Open (starting on August 27) is not in doubt," the Frenchman’s agent further commented.
Tsonga recently bagged silver medal with Michael Llodra in the doubles event at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
Maria Sharapova:
After enjoying success and grabbing a silver medal at Games of x*x Olympiad in Wimbledon, Sharapova is caught up with a stomach virus.
The Russian number one withdrew from the Rogers Cup in Montreal and the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati. She was the defending champion at the Lindner Family Tennis Center but due to the continuing stomach illness, Sharapova
was forced to pull out from second straight tournament.
Sharapova who bowed out to Serena Williams in the final showdown at the London Olympics is looking forward to recover and capture her fifth Grand Slam title at the US Open.
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