Coronavirus: Nadal says 2020 is "practically lost" for tennis
Rafa Nadal has said he thinks it is unlikely tennis will return at all in 2020 and that the ATP and WTA Tours should start looking towards the Australian Open.
Rafa Nadal is sceptical about the prospect of the ATP Tour returning in 2020 and is already thinking ahead to next year's Australian Open.
Both the ATP and WTA Tours are suspended until at least mid-July as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, which has wreaked havoc with the global sports calendar.
Wimbledon has already been cancelled for 2020, while the French Open was put back to September but the major at Roland Garros and the US Open remain in doubt.
Nadal: "I would sign up for being ready for 2021"
Nadal still wishes to return to competitive action before the end of the year but says a more realistic approach is to plan towards 2021 and the Australian Open.
"I hope we can return before the end of the year but, unfortunately, I don't think so," Nadal told El Pais. "I would sign up to being ready for 2021.
"I'm more worried about the Australian Open than what occurs at the end of this year. I think 2020 is practically lost. I hope we can start up again next year, I really hope that's the case."