Nadal: Djokovic withdrawal from U.S. Open 'very sad news'

Rafael Nadal's path to victory at the U.S. Open just got easier. Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

Rafael Nadal: Novak Djokovic withdrawal from U.S. Open 'very sad news'

By Adam Stites | Last updated 8/26/22

Rafael Nadal's path to another grand slam victory got a little bit easier when Novak Djokovic announced Thursday that he wouldn't participate in the U.S. Open due to COVID vaccine requirements. But the 36-year-old Spanish player isn't celebrating Djokovic's absence.

Instead, Nadal lamented the "very sad news" that the U.S. Open lost a three-time champion from its field of participants.

Rafa Nadal in full on Novak Djokovic's absence.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/pBGx7AeGwg
— James Gray (@jamesgraysport) August 26, 2022

Earlier this year, Nadal won both the Australian Open and French Open to bring his career grand slam victories total to 22. While Djokovic won at Wimbledon, he's still one behind Nadal for the most ever for a men's singles player.

Nadal and Djokovic are third and sixth in the ATP Tour rankings, respectively, entering the U.S. Open, which begins Monday.

Djokovic's refusal to get vaccinated also excluded him from participating at the Australian Open and French Open. Nadal reached the semifinals at Wimbledon, but was forced to withdraw ahead of a match with Nick Kyrgios due to an abdominal injury. Djokovic went on to beat Kyrgios in four sets in the final.

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