Rafael Nadal believes the US Open and French Open can only be allowed to go ahead if the safety of all those involved can be ensured.
A decision is expected later this month over whether the US Open in New York will take place in August.
The tennis season is currently suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic and officials are weighing up their options as they look to resume action.
The clay and grass court seasons have been cancelled but the French Tennis Federation believes they can still host the French Open in late September.
With the global nature of tennis, the sport will need to find a way to look after its players, officials and staff.
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Nadal has recently returned to training in Mallorca but has not committed himself to the numerous exhibition events being organised.
Speaking in a media briefing on Thursday, Nadal conceded he would not feel comfortable travelling to play at the US Open at this time and feels the tournament can only go ahead if conditions are ‘extremely safe’.
“Well, it’s not the ideal situation,” says Nadal.
“Honestly if you asked me today if I want to travel today to New York to play a tennis tournament, I will say: no, I will not.
“In a couple of months I don’t know how the current situation will improve. Hopefully it will be the right way and ensure the people who organise the event, the USTA, wants a safe event.
“Same with the French Federation, they want to celebrate the tournament if everybody is safe enough.
“I am confident they will make the right decisions in the right moment to be sure that if the tournament is played it’s going to be under extremely safe circumstances. If not, in my opinion, it doesn’t make sense.”
Meanwhile, Australian John Millman believes it will be ‘a massive ask’ for the US Open to go ahead.
“If you look to the current environment in America right now, both with COVID and the riots, it’s probably not the most conducive conditions,” Millman said.
“Obviously the USTA, they have an objective and that is to try and play it at all costs. I understand their predicament. But for me, that timeframe looks a little unlikely.
“That’s a decision individual players are going to have to make. I’ve heard the deadline is mid-June, I wouldn’t be surprised if that gets pushed back just due to the desperation for them to get the tournament going ahead.
“As a player you have to weigh up whether or not it’s worth getting over there. I’m sure I’m not the only one thinking that. It’s only normal to have a proper think about the benefits and risk and rewards.
“If a decision has to be made mid-June, it doesn’t look great. You can’t just throw in a tournament like this with no preparation. From some of the protocols that I’ve seen as to what tennis would look like – and the security and safety measures that go into place – it’s a massive ask.”
