For only the 4th time in U.S. Open history, the reigning men’s champion will not be in competition this year as it’s been announced that Rafael Nadal’s right wrist injury (which has kept him out of action since Aug. 1) will force him to withdraw from the tournament.
“I am very sorry to announce I won’t be able to play at this year’s US Open — a tournament on which I’ve played 3 consecutive finals in my last participations,” Nadal said in a statement. “I am sure you understand that it is a very tough moment for me since it is a tournament I love and where I have great memories from fans, the night matches, so many things. Not much more I can do right now, other than accept the situation and, as always in my case, work hard in order to be able to compete at the highest level once I am back.”
According to ESPN, Nadal was originally injured July 29, as he was practicing in Mallorca in preparation for North American Hard-Court Circuit. He was told it would be a two or three week recovery period, however he still had high hopes in being ready for the Open.
[h/t ESPN]