Former champion Stan Wawrinka confirmed Friday that he will not be playing at the US Open citing “the health situation in New York” as the Grand Slam event was another success.
Wawrinka, the 2016 US Open winner, was already missing from the entry list along with four-time champion Rafael Nadal.
Now, the 35-year-old will instead focus on Roland Garros where he won his second career major in 2015.
“There is the health situation that is particular in New York. I did not want to go to the United States in these conditions,” world number 17, also champion of the Australian Open 2014, told RTS in Switzerland.
Players of the US Open, which begins on August 31, will be subjected to strict health checks to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.
It will also be played behind closed doors.
“And the sequence of tournaments that will follow after the US Open will be tough,” he added, referring to the Italian Open which begins a week after the New York event ends.
Roland Garros, postponed from May to June, will then begin in Paris on 27 September.
“Finally, there are all the uncertainties related to the quarantine issue. There are still many questions and doubts about the conduct of the US Open.”
On Friday, the top 10 female players Elina Svitolina and Kiki Bertens said they were missing the US Open.
World number one Ashleigh Barty has also decided not to play.
© 2020 AFP
