The US Open is scheduled to begin on 28th August 2023. Many top-ranked players like Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune, Taylor Fritz and others are actively competing in various ATP tournaments as they strive to excel in New York. However, at the same time, an increasingly large number of highly ranked players such as Rafael Nadal are dropping out from participation due to injuries.
This thinning field of players implies that the quality of competition is being affected, as many athletes might find the tournament to be easier without top-ranked competitors.
Nadal, Raducanu, Kyrgios, Shapovalov, and Struff absent due to injuries
Injuries are plaguing the tennis world. Several athletes have not taken part in top tournaments due to longstanding injuries leaving them struggling to recover and causing them to drop down the rankings as a result.
Stars like Rafael Nadal(hip), Emma Raducanu(wrist and ankle), Nick Kyrgios(various), Denis Shapivalov and Jan-Lennard Struff have withdrawn from the US Open in order to recover from injuries.
Rafael Nadal has been facing a long time on the sidelines due to a hip injury. He has undergone surgery to fix the problem that has caused to him withdraw from various tournaments. He had previously experienced an ankle problem that was fixed. Similarly, Emma Raducanu had been in hospital prior to the Wimbledon championships which forced her to race against time in order to play. That did not happen and to make matters worse, she is unable to participate in the US Open too.
Nick Kyrgios had also withdrawn from Wimbledon and is now out of the US Open. As a result, he has dropped down to 135 in the ATP rankings from the mid 30’s.
Denis Shapivalov and Jan-Lennard Struff were regularly taking part in ATP tournaments in May but have since faced injuries that have hindered their participation in this year’s tournament.
Rafael Nadal is continuing his recovery from longstanding hip injury
Rafael Nadal injured his hip flexor during his second-round defeat by Mackenzie McDonald at the Australian Open match this year, which caused him to withdraw from the French Open and other tournaments as a result.
Nadal underwent an arthroscopic hip surgery in June to address the hip flexor, as well as the hip labrum, which is the thick ring of cartilage between the ball and the socket of the hip joint. He is expected to make a comeback after a 5-month rehabilitation phase which leaves him unable to take part in the third consecutive grand slam of this season.
In a post on Instagram prior to his surgery, Rafael Nadal lamented his situation, saying “The weeks are passing and I had the illusion of being able to play in tournaments that are the most important in my career such as Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Roland Garros, and for the moment I have missed Monte Carlo and Barcelona. I will not be able to be in Madrid, unfortunately.”
“The injury still hasn’t healed and I can’t work out what I need to do to compete. I was training but now a few days ago we decided to change course a bit, do another treatment and see if things improve to try to get to what comes next.”
The 37 year old has stated that the next season may be his last and the expectation of seeing him return to the tennis court has increased tenfold due to his decision.
There has been unanimous support from fellow tennis players who have supported his recovery and are optimistic about seeing him return to the clay courts of Roland Garros, where he can be given a grand farewell.
The US Open is facing a shortage of top stars due to withdrawals from various players. This has resulted in a lack of competition in the tournament, with athletes like Rafael Nadal, who has won the competition in the past, not competing. What do you think of the situation? What should the official tennis body do to better take care of athletes in terms of avoiding injuries and providing rehabilitation? Let us know in the comments section below.
