New York, Sep.8 (ANI): Spanish tennis ace Rafael Nadal and his British counterpart Andy Murray have accused the US Open organisers of putting profit before player safety, after they rushed three important men's matches on to the courts while there were still spots of rain in the air.
Nadal was unhappy at having to play for 15 minutes while there was still moisture in the air at Flushing Meadows.
An unequally unimpressed Andy Murray also complained to US Open officials about the rain falling on court and still him being forced to play.
Nadal had to go out on court at short notice, after officials spotted a brief break in the clouds, and soon found himself 3-0 down to the big-serving Gilles Muller.
At that point, the rain returned in earnest.
The Telegraph quoted Nadal as saying: "It's the same old story, all you think about is money."
Nadal later told host broadcaster ESPN: "We don't feel protected. Grand slams, they win a lot of money, and they are just working for that, not for us. They are calling us on court and it's still raining."
"I understand the fans are there but the health of the players is important for the tournament too. We have to fight, to have enough power to say we won't go on court when it's raining, because it's not fair," he added.
After storming off the court, Nadal was joined by Andy Murray and Andy Roddick, who had also started their fourth-round matches at around 12.30 p.m. on Wednesday, in a closed-door meeting with US Open director Brian Early.
Murray also described how inappropriate the conditions had been for top-level tennis.
"When we went out it was still raining, the back of the court was soaking wet and the balls were really wet as well," said Murray afterwards.
"Everyone spoke to the umpire, and they said, 'No, it's fine'. But it doesn't make sense to get out there for seven or eight minutes and I don't think we will be doing that again today. The players want to play more than anyone [but] it's dangerous, the lines especially get really, really slippy."
The forecasters are predicting more bad weather for Thursday, which could mean serious difficulties for the tournament.
Unless things improve substantially, it looks as if the men's final will have to go back to Monday for the fourth time in as many years. (ANI)
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