Rafael Nadal Thinks ‘2020 Is Practically Lost’ And Tennis Will Resume Next Year

KEY POINTS

Rafael Nadal is only one Grand Slam away in tying Roger Federer in the all-time count in majors won
Major sporting events remain on hold due to the threats of the coronavirus
Tennis' schedule this year is unlikely to push through says Rafael Nadal

While tennis isn’t seen as a contact sport, Rafael Nadal thinks the professionally sanctioned games will not push through this year. The Spaniard shared that games scheduled for 2020 are not likely to happen and hopes for the best in 2021.

The 19-time Grand Slam champion has been on pace to tie and overtake his good friend and rival Roger Federer. The two tennis legends are neck and neck on the trophy count with Federer leading male stars with 20 championships. This year would have been the perfect opportunity for Nadal to take over as Federer was sidelined with a knee injury.

If this year pushed through, Nadal could have pushed the envelope and challenged the 36-year-old Federer for the greatest of all time moniker.

But this doesn’t appear to be Nadal’s priority for now as the safety of everyone in the pandemic remains to be the main concern. In a recent interview story reported by Spanish newspaper El Pais, Nadal shared his thoughts on the possible schedule of the tour. When asked if he thinks the games will push through this year, Nadal responded that it’s unlikely.

"I wish, but I don't believe so. If you said we'll be ready for 2021 I would sign up for that," Nadal said by way of Wide World of Sports.

The left-handed champion added that he is already worrying about next year’s Australian Open if it will push through. The Australian Open always signals the start of the tennis calendar as the first major tournament of the year.

"I think 2020 is practically lost. I have hopes that we will be able to start next year. Hopefully, that's what will happen," Nadal added.

Right before the major sporting events were canceled, Nadal was coming off a big victory in Mexico where he completed the Acapulco Hat-Trick. It was a dominating straight-set match against Taylor Fritz that earned Nadal his third title at Acapulco.

Everyone would have to wait to see what will happen in the next few months. With the coronavirus still threatening lives, the rest of the sporting events remain as an uncertainty.