World No. 2 Andy Murray's decision to quit the US Open after the main draw was made didn't sit particularly well with Spain's Rafa Nadal.
Murray was forced to withdraw as he failed to recover from a recent hip injury. The 2012 US Open champion was hopeful that he would play for the first time since Wimbledon. However, the disappointed Scot broke the news on Saturday that he is still not fully fit to contend.
Murray got the No. 2 seeding on Friday when the draw placement took place. Following the withdrawal, the draw required to be revised and updated.
Croatian Marin Cilic, the fifth seed, jumped in on Murray's spot and met Tennys Sandgren instead of Gilles Simon in round one.
Nadal and Federer paid the price
Nadal and the great Roger Federer remained in the same part of the draw, seeded at numbers one and three, respectively. Had Murray pulled out before the draw took place, the two tennis giants would have received the top two US Open seedings. The top two seeds lead the top and bottom half of the draw, and can't meet before the final.
After his opening match on Tuesday, Nadal revealed he ''always thought'' Murray would play since he was practicing at Flushing Meadows. The Spaniard added it was a ''little bit strange'' that the 30-year-old quit just a da after the draw was released.
Nadal and Federer survive round one
Both Nadal and Federer captured wins in their openers at the US Open. Nadal saw off the world No. 85 Dusan Lajovic in straight sets, while Federer held off rising Frances Tiafoe in a five-setter. Nadal now awaits the winner of the match between Tommy Paul and Taro Daniel. On the other side, the better of Mikhail Youzhny and Blaz Kavcic plays next Federer.
Nadal and Federer are four wins away from the showdown semi-final meeting.
Nadal feels for Murray
Though apparently critical of Murray's withdrawal, Nadal also showed sympathy towards the injured Scot. Nadal went under the knife multiple times so far in his career. The health problems often took its toll on the 31-year-old, who was later battling to get back to his best after being sidelined.
Nadal further claimed the Murray move was a ''little bit strange and difficult to understand.'' But, the Spaniard then added the ''worst thing'' is that the Scot is unhealthy and wished him a ''very fast recovery.''
"Injuries are bad for everybody,'' Nadal said. ''I know (that) better than all of them. So I wish him (a) fast and good recovery. That's the most important thing."
