Rafael Nadal says he could not understand the timing of Andy Murray's withdrawal from the US Open.
The world No. 2 had come to New York, having been sidelined with a hip injury since Wimbledon, but withdrew the day after the draw came out. If Murray had withdrawn before the draw was made, third seed Roger Federer would have been moved into his spot, on the other half from Nadal.
Nadal saw Murray on the grounds before the tournament began.
"But I always thought that he gonna be playing if he was here practicing," said Nadal. "Was a little bit strange that he retired just the morning after the draw was made."