'Not the last': Shock Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer twist in virus chaos
Rafa Nadal has shocked fans after announcing he would take part in the Cincinnati Open for the first time ever, sparking speculation a number of players - including Roger Federer - could withdraw from the Olympics after the Covid-19 bombshell.
Nadal announced after the French Open he would skip Wimbledon and the Olympics to give his body a rest.
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But the 20-time Grand Slam champion has been included on the Citi Open entry list, which will start onlt a week after the Olympics.
This appears to be an attempt to prepare for the hard court season where he will search for his 21st Grand Slam title.
Fans were surprised, considering many thought Nadal might take extra time off during the Olympics.
However, leading tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg has hinted Nadal might not be the last major player to throw his name in the hat.
I suspect Nadal may not be the last big name into Washington, especially if some lose early at Olympics.
With Covid restrictions being much looser stateside, Washington might prove a tempting alternative to Toronto for several players.— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) July 8, 2021
No spectators at the Olympics in Tokyo. How many ATP&WTA Top 20 players will be playing Canada, Cincinnatti, flying to Tokyo and back to New York for the USO? Not Djokovic, not Nadal, probably not Federer, not Thiem, not Zverev (defending final 2020). USO is way more important.🤷
— Yoka (@JokeDasselaar) July 8, 2021
Overnight, the Tokyo Olympics was rocked after Japan declared a state of emergency due to a rise in Covid-19 cases.
The measures will come into effect next week and last the duration of the Olympics with the Games starting July 23 and ending August 8.
Only hours after the state of emergency, the Olympic Committee met and announced no fans would attend events in Tokyo.
Federer and Djokovic to decide Olympic fate
This has prompted fresh fears over whether Federer and World No.1 Novak Djokovic will attend the Olympics.
Djokovic recently said he would only attend the Olympics if fans would be in attendance.
The Olympics recently allowed the arena's to be at 50 per cent capacity, but things might change for athletes after the committee walked back on the ruling.
A major concern for sporting fans is also Federer's participation.
Federer admitted he was 'horribly exhausted' after his brutal 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-0 loss to Hubert Hurkacz at Wimbledon, despite signalling his intention to attend the Olympics.
Having to enter another athlete's biosecurity bubble at the Olympics, many are fearing Federer won't be in attendance.
Some pointed out it would be unlikely to see Federer and Nadal - 39 and 35 years old respectively - fly over to Tokyo and quarantine, only to return to the US for the long haul before the US Open.
This follows other stars such as Dominic Thiem and Australia's Nick Kyrgios withdrawing.
Kyrgios announced he would officially be withdrawing from the Tokyo Games after the decision to ban crowds from attendance.
Olympic tennis ranks being shredded. Kyrgios out and Federer unlikely. Rafa also not going. https://t.co/OyA1L62SqO
— Neil McMahon (@NeilMcMahon) July 8, 2021
No spectators at the Olympics in Tokyo. How many ATP&WTA Top 20 players will be playing Canada, Cincinnatti, flying to Tokyo and back to New York for the USO? Not Djokovic, not Nadal, probably not Federer, not Thiem, not Zverev (defending final 2020). USO is way more important.🤷
— Yoka (@JokeDasselaar) July 8, 2021
It remains to be seen just how many tennis stars make the trip to Tokyo after the latest development.
But fans wont have to wait long with the 2021 Olympic Games starting soon.
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