As a result of the German’s delayed recovery from an ankle injury, world No. 2 Alexander Zverev has officially withdrawn from the 2022 US Open. The incumbent champion Daniil Medvedev will still have the top seed in the draw, but Rafael Nadal will now be seeded second.
Rafael Nadal will be seeded second at the 2022 US Open
At Roland Garros earlier this year, Zverev faced Nadal in the semifinals, and Zverev was injured. Since then, he hasn’t participated in any tours.
The abdominal ailment that made Nadal have to quit from the Wimbledon semifinals, on the other hand, is still causing him pain. In Cincinnati, the Spaniard attempted his comeback but was defeated by Borna Coric in three sets, going on to win the match. He will be better prepared if it is certain that he won’t face Medvedev before the final.
Nadal is still the favourite to win the championship in New York next month despite his obvious health difficulties. He is undefeated at Grand Slam events this year. After a three-year absence, the five-time former US Open champion from Spain will play in Flushing Meadows. He won the title in his final contest of the year.
Before travelling to New York on Monday, the 36-year-old got in some practise in the American Midwest. He then resumed his practise on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court in New York.
After Zverev withdrew, Nadal will have more energy and be better positioned to conclude the year as the world’s top player. Without respect to other outcomes, the Spaniard will depart Flushing Meadows in first place if he wins the championship. However, even if he falls as early as the quarterfinal, Nadal may still be in first place if certain other outcomes go his way. He is currently the favourite to conclude the year as the World No. 1 for a sixth time in his career because he has no points to defend until the end of the season.
