'Practically lost': Rafa Nadal writes off French and US Opens

Rafael Nadal sees the Australian Open as his next big target, the world No.2 not expecting to be play competitive tennis again this year because of the coronavirus.

Speaking to Spanish newspaper El Pais on Tuesday, the 19-time grand slam champion thought the rest of the year would be a write off.

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"I wish, but I don't believe so. If you said we'll be ready for 2021 I would sign up for that," Nadal said.

"I am more worried about the Australian Open than what will happen at the end of this year.

"I think 2020 is practically lost. I have hopes that we will be able to start next year. Hopefully that's what will happen."

The Spaniard won both the French Open and US Open titles in an incredible 2019 season.

With Wimbledon cancelled, the French Open has been moved from its traditional start date in May to the end of September while the US Open is still scheduled to start at the end of August.

But 33-year-old Nadal is not optimistic either will go ahead and appears to be planning for next year's Australian Open, which is due to start on January 18.

Nadal also said it was important to find a balance between being positive and not avoiding criticism of politicians.

"No one expected this, but those that govern here should have had access to all the information and in that sense there were errors," he said

"The situation has overwhelmed all of us not just Spain. But it's the same as when I lose a match and (Roger) Federer and (Novak) Djokovic also lose a match.

"I can't excuse myself just because they lost too. Everyone has dealt with this badly."

World No.2 bidding for 13th French Open title

Nadal, who is seeking an extraordinary record-extending 13th French Open title, still may have a chance to do so this year after officials made a rescheduling tweak for the grand slam event.

Roland-Garros announced in March a new date of September 20 but French media have claimed the clay court tournament is now set to start a week later, on September 27.

"We took the decision in mid-March to postpone Roland Garros from September 20 to October 4," a French tennis federation (FFT) spokesman said on Tuesday.

"Since then, we have been discussing with the international bodies of the various circuits (International Tennis Federation, WTA, ATP) the optimum calendar for the second part of the season, which will be finalised with the various stakeholders very soon."

A September 27 start would give players a two-week window between the end of the US Open and the Paris tournament.

with Yahoo Sport staff