Rafael Nadal faces Roger Federer's moral dilemma as Laver Cup participation scrutinized
Rafael Nadal faced a moral dilemma after his US Open loss to Frances Tiafoe. The Spaniard is set to partner Roger Federer at the Laver Cup later this month, but has raised doubts about his participation in the team tournament after his upset loss at Flushing Meadows, and Jim Courier has admitted that the Swiss star reel was the deciding factor in Nadal's decision.
Nadal suffered his first and only Grand Slam defeat of the year against Tiafoe on Monday as the American picked up the biggest victory of his career to oust the second seed 6-4 4-6 6- 4 6-3 in the US Open fourth round. While the 22nd seed produced an impressive performance, Nadal was also not at his best and after the game he admitted it might be some time before he plays again. /p>
"I have to go back [home], fix things and I don't know when I'm going to come back. When I feel mentally ready to start competing again... I will," he said during of his post-match press conference. With the Laver Cup just 17 days away, that means the Spaniard could turn down the possibility of a Big Four reunion if he steps down and leaves Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray to find a replacement for Team Europe.
Former world number 1 Jim Courier has now weighed in on the 36-year-old's comments and admitted Nadal would have a moral dilemma on his hands, with Federer the potential deciding factor in whether he takes a long break of competition. "Well listen, there are a few things to think about," the American told Amazon Prime Video, first addressing Nadal's concerns off the pitch before turning his attention to the Laver Cup.
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He continued, "We know his wife is expecting their first child, so he thinks I'm sure of that and there are reports that the pregnancy isn't going as well as one would hope. Things could be looking up for them, so we're keeping our fingers crossed that everything goes well until they welcome the birth of their first child, and we know he's had some physical issues and some time. to let his body rest is probably the best thing for him."
And Courier admitted there was a lot of pressure on Nadal's Laver Cup appearance with the Big Four nearing the end of their respective careers. "Of course we can't wait to see him play in London at the O2 at the Laver Cup. It could be the last chance to see the Big Four on the same stage together while they are still active, with Federer making his return he added.
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Rafael Nadal faced a moral dilemma after his US Open loss to Frances Tiafoe. The Spaniard is set to partner Roger Federer at the Laver Cup later this month, but has raised doubts about his participation in the team tournament after his upset loss at Flushing Meadows, and Jim Courier has admitted that the Swiss star reel was the deciding factor in Nadal's decision.
Nadal suffered his first and only Grand Slam defeat of the year against Tiafoe on Monday as the American picked up the biggest victory of his career to oust the second seed 6-4 4-6 6- 4 6-3 in the US Open fourth round. While the 22nd seed produced an impressive performance, Nadal was also not at his best and after the game he admitted it might be some time before he plays again. /p>
"I have to go back [home], fix things and I don't know when I'm going to come back. When I feel mentally ready to start competing again... I will," he said during of his post-match press conference. With the Laver Cup just 17 days away, that means the Spaniard could turn down the possibility of a Big Four reunion if he steps down and leaves Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray to find a replacement for Team Europe.
Former world number 1 Jim Courier has now weighed in on the 36-year-old's comments and admitted Nadal would have a moral dilemma on his hands, with Federer the potential deciding factor in whether he takes a long break of competition. "Well listen, there are a few things to think about," the American told Amazon Prime Video, first addressing Nadal's concerns off the pitch before turning his attention to the Laver Cup.
JUST IN: Raducanu and Murray can join forces in new tennis tournament announcement
He continued, "We know his wife is expecting their first child, so he thinks I'm sure of that and there are reports that the pregnancy isn't going as well as one would hope. Things could be looking up for them, so we're keeping our fingers crossed that everything goes well until they welcome the birth of their first child, and we know he's had some physical issues and some time. to let his body rest is probably the best thing for him."
And Courier admitted there was a lot of pressure on Nadal's Laver Cup appearance with the Big Four nearing the end of their respective careers. "Of course we can't wait to see him play in London at the O2 at the Laver Cup. It could be the last chance to see the Big Four on the same stage together while they are still active, with Federer making his return he added.
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