“It could be a calculation with Rafael Nadal,” says the coach

A week ago, Rafael Nadal announced that he would not be participating in this year’s US Open. This decision was not a big surprise, as the Spaniard had only trained on clay and had expressed many doubts on the issue of safety in the midst of a pandemic.

The absence of Roger Federer and Nadal will pave the way for many players, who will hunt for the company in New York after the long hiatus due to the pandemic. Dominic Thiem’s ​​manager Herwig Straka believes the Majorcan has earned the luxury of missing a major tournament like the US Open, a privilege that many of his peers cannot afford.

In a long interview with the Austrian news agency APA, Straka said that most players need points and money right now.

Straka on Rafael Nadal

“A Rafael Nadal is a player who has already won a lot,” said Herwig Straka.

“For the vast majority of players, it is already true that playing a tournament is not just their job yet, they live for it. This is the main motivation, even if there are extreme restrictions like now in New York”, Dominic Thiem’s ​​manager has continued.

“Winning a Grand Slam or a 1000 is already at the top of the list. Of course, points and financial considerations also play an important role.” While Straka denied that points in the standings were a motivating factor for Dominic Thiem, he believes it may have helped Rafael Nadal make his decision.

“I don’t think so,” Straka replied when asked if Dominic Thiem had decided to participate in the US Open to earn points in the standings. “It could be a calculation with Rafa, but otherwise it is a Grand Slam victory.

I don’t entirely agree that it’s easier now because maybe one or two aren’t there. It’s like in a ski race: if someone is eliminated in the first round, the victory is no less, you are still an Olympic or world champion “, said Straka.

Thiem, finalist at the Australian Open at the beginning of the year, will be one of the most anticipated at Flushing Meadows, without forgetting Next Gen like Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev. The US Open has been steadfast in its determination to move forward this year despite the many challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Even if the US Open will be ahead, players must comply with certain conditions, such as “bubble” hotel confinement and limited number in terms of entourage. Additionally, fans cannot participate, making it the first Grand Slam behind closed doors.