John McEnroe will miss Rafael Nadal at the US Open – Tennis News
World number three, Rafael Nadal, will miss out on the second big event of the season, the US Open, having missed the London Olympics earlier this month. He is still suffering from the chronic knee injury that has been troubling
him ever since the second round exit at the Wimbledon Championships in Great Britain.
Former world number one, John McEnroe, was asked to comment on the missing Spanish player and he said, “Everyone’s worried [about Rafa]. I’m worried. This happened three years ago and he bounced back in a big way then so I’m hoping
something similar happens this time. I’m assuming that he and his camp are thinking longer term, so they can keep him going for four or five more years and win a number of Grand Slams.”
McEnroe further added, “So, bigger beneficiaries of Nadal’s absence may be Roger and Novak. If you asked Roger, although he wouldn’t admit it, he’d be pleased that he doesn’t have to play Rafa because he’s got a pretty bad record
against him.”
Nadal was chosen to be the flag bearer for Spain in the London Olympics but he couldn’t have the honour of performing that duty for not recovering from the sore knee. The phenomenon has continued that has forced him out of the
US Open as well.
It is always disappointing to see such a highly spirited contender being sidelined for the year’s fourth biggest event. The seven-time Grand Slam Champion, McEnroe, felt the same and his cold words clearly told the displeasure
he felt from the deficiency of Nadal at the US Open.
Some people are afraid that the injury problem might force the former world number one to miss out on the rest of the season. A lot of people predicted the knee problem of Nadal and his absence from the tennis circuit after the
age of 28. The way he grinds his body during the encounters made it mandatory for him to injure his knee in the foreseeable future. It seems like the time has come earlier than expected and it is a major frustration for the Rafa fans. Let’s hope he returns
soon.
Tags: