'That may be a calculation with Rafael Nadal', says manager

A week ago, Rafael Nadal announced that he would not participate in this year’s edition of the US Open. This decision was not a big surprise, given that the Spaniard had trained only on clay and had expressed many doubts about the safety issue in the middle of a pandemic. The absence of Roger Federer and Nadal will pave the way for a number of players, who will go hunting for the feat in New York after the long break due to the pandemic. Dominic Thiem's ​​manager Herwig Straka believes that the Majorcan has earned the luxury of missing a major tournament like the US Open, a privilege many of his peers cannot afford. In a lengthy interview with the Austrian news agency APA, Straka said that most players need points and money right now.

Straka on Rafael Nadal

"A Rafael Nadal is a player who has already won a lot," said Herwig Straka. "For the vast majority of players, it is already the case that playing a tournament is still not just their job, they live for it. That is the main motivation, even if there are extreme restrictions like now in New York," Dominic Thiem's manager continued. "Winning a Grand Slam or a 1000 is already at the top of the list. Of course, points and financial considerations also play a role." While Straka denied that ranking points were a motivating factor for Dominic Thiem, he does believe it may have helped Rafael Nadal make his decision. "I do not think so," Straka replied when asked whether Dominic Thiem had decided to enter the US Open in order to gain ranking points. "That may be a calculation with Rafa, but otherwise, it's about a Grand Slam victory. I don't entirely agree that it's easier now because maybe one or two aren't there. It's like in a ski race: if someone is eliminated in the first round, the victory is no less worthwhile, you are still an Olympic or world champion," asserted Straka. Thiem, finalist at the Australian Open at the beginning of the year, will be one of the most anticipated at Flushing Meadows, without forgetting the Next Gen like Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev. The US Open have been resolute in their determination to press ahead this year despite the many challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. Although the US Open will ahead, players must adhere to certain conditions, such as confinement to ‘bubble’ hotels and restricted numbers in terms of their entourage. Fans are also not permitted to attend, making it the first ever behind-closed-doors Grand Slam.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/316Uz9t