In an interview at the football match that he kicked off on July 29, Rafael Nadal told reporters that he will play at Montreal and Cincinnati this summer, to ensure that he is in his best shape for the US Open. Recent reports have been circulated by Marca and a popular tennis reporter about Rafa withdrawing from Cincinnati, but these claims have not been substantiated by either Rafa or his team, and it is unclear where these claims originated from. According to other Spanish media, Rafa is supposed to travel to Montreal on Wednesday, and his first match may be as early as August 7.