Rafa Nadal's shock move sparks huge concern over US Open bid

Rafael Nadal has sparked huge concern over his participation at the US Open after enrolling in a golf tournament only a few days out from the Grand Slam.

The 20-time Grand Slam champ returned to the ATP Tour last week at the Citi Open after missing both Wimbledon and the Olympics after suffering a foot injury at Roland Garros.

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However, the 20-time grand slam champion was forced to pull out of the Toronto hard-court event the following week due to the same injury.

This sparked concern over whether Nadal would be fit for the US Open.

And in an unusual twist, Nadal was listed in the 2021 Balearic Golf Tournament starting next week.

The two day tournament runs from August 21-22 in his hometown of Mallorca and is open to amateur men and women above the age of 25.

The 35-year-old, who plays golf right handed despite his famous left hand approach in tennis, is the No.1 seed for the event.

The move raised eyebrows from fans considering the US Open begins on August 30.

Many couldn't help but think the move may have offered an insight into the mindset of the Spaniard leading into the US Open.

However, it is possible the tournament could be a way for Nadal to unwind ahead of the final Grand Slam of the year.

The Spaniard has often expressed his love for golf, claiming it was his second favourite sport after tennis, and Tiger Woods has been seen supporting Nadal at the US Open.

Regardless, Nadal is in a race to be fit for the US Open after his reoccurring left foot injury.

Nadal missed last year's tournament due to Covid-19, but his year the 35-year-old is battling match fitness ahead of the Grand Slam.

Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer to miss Laver Cup

The tennis world has reacted with disappointment after it was confirmed Roger Federer, Nadal and Novak Djokovic (The Big Three) would all skip the Laver Cup for Team Europe.

Federer shocked the tennis world this week after announcing he would undergo yet another knee surgery at the age of 40.

After speculation ran rife over whether he could return to tennis, Federer addressed fans again overnight and said he was 'disappointed' he would miss his first Laver Cup.

This has also resulted in him missing the Laver Cup.

To add to the misery of the tennis world, Djokovic will also miss the Laver Cup after taking time off after he was the only one of the 'Big Three' to travel to Tokyo.

But the World No.1 will enter the 2021 US Open with no hard-court warm-up events.

At least two of the three have entered for Team Europe during the tournament's short history.

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