“I Am Very Pessimistic” – Rafael Nadal

19-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has been confined to his residence in Mallorca, Spain. He hasn’t touched a tennis racquet since the Indian Wells tournament’s cancelation in March. Also, his nation, Spain is one of the worst-hit areas by the coronavirus pandemic. To take care of the COVID19-infected patients, Rafa donated and raised millions of Euros.

Despite the situation coming under control in Europe, and fewer new cases and deaths being recorded each day, Nadal is not sure about the tennis Tour returning to normalcy in the near future.

“I see it as a serious problem” – Rafael Nadal 

Tennis is an international sport and players hail from different parts of the world. Professionals spend most of their time traveling and, for the moment, air travel looks a long way away from starting any time soon. All of this will only delay the resumption of professional tennis even further.

“I am very pessimistic about the circuit returning to a normal activity due to the fact of all the travels. Although it was played behind closed doors, you have to think that there are many people involved. Internationally, I see it as a serious problem,” World Number two Nadal said.

As of now, tennis is the last sport that seems ready to return to normalcy. Also, three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray is cynical about the same due to the amount of traveling the sport demands. 

“I would imagine tennis would be one of the last sports to get back to normality because you’ve obviously got players and coaches and teams coming from all over the world into one area,” he said.

The Brit is also unsure about French Open 2020 taking place towards the end of September this year.

Read More – “I’m Skeptical” – Andy Murray on French Open 2020 Getting Underway

If the situation goes back to normal in some cities, the officials may decide to go ahead with some tournaments. And, if they impose restrictions on players from certain countries, limit the participation of players from specific regions, it would ultimately affect the event’s revenue.