Defending U.S. Open champion Rafael Nadal said Tuesday he didn’t want to travel during the pandemic and would not be entering the tournament.
Also out of the field: Ash Barty, the No. 1-ranked woman.The U.S. Open is set to start in New York on Aug. 31, as originally scheduled, something rare in the world of sports this year.
Professional tennis was suspended in March because of the pandemic, leaving many players, coaches and others without a regular income.The women’s tour resumed this week in Palermo, Italy.
The men’s tour will pick up later this month.First-round singles prize money at the U.S. Open is going up 5%, from $58,000 to $61,000, the only level where there is a jump.