'It's always great when Roger Federer and Nadal are around', says former Top 5

The absence of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal was a major blow to the US Open, with the USTA making a huge effort to allow the New York Grand Slam to be held. The Swiss phenomenon will remain in the pits until the start of next season, while the Spaniard has preferred to focus on Roland Garros scheduled for late September. Two such heavy packages open the way for many players, such as Milos Raonic. The Canadian giant showed excellent condition last week in Cincinnati, where he reached the final by yielding to third against Novak Djokovic. Asked about the subject at a press conference, the 2016 Wimbledon finalist downplayed the absence of Federer and Nadal. The players are focused solely on their performance, as well as having to deal with a new situation for everyone within the Flushing Meadows bubble.

Raonic on Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

"I don't think it really does have an effect. It's unfortunate they're not here. I think it's always great for tennis when they're around," Milos Raonic said. "I think each one of us as players is really just focused on who's the next person ahead of us. Yeah, it's weird at a Grand Slam not having them, but there's many tournaments throughout the year that we play without the two of them there." Raonic's comments come after Dominic Thiem was similarly unpreturbed by the absence of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. "I mean, the absence of them is never nice. Because obviously, I mean, I can speak only about myself," he said. "I love to watch them, as well. Even if I'm player myself, I love to watch them, watch them compete. But I think it's not too big of a deal, because it's not the first time in a major that these two are not playing. And in a few years it's going to be every major without them, so I think it's not that big of a deal. There are still many, many super players around. So it doesn't really matter, as it's not the first match where they are not competing" - the Austrian concluded. Thiem added: "Cincy was just a bad day from my side and that happens sometimes in tennis - the nice thing about this sport is we have a new opportunity every week. "I just tried to relax and get fresh mentally and physically again and I was much better today. It was a good fight to get a rhythm and a good start in the tournament."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3lQLJoj