Rafael Nadal will not defend his US Open title following the announcement he will miss this year’s tournament due to injury.
The 14 time grand slam champion is suffering from a wrist injury and has not played competitively since his Wimbledon exit at the hands of Nick Kyrgios.
The Spaniard made the announcement on his Facebook page.
“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.
Nadal has competed in three of the last four US Open finals, all against Novak Djokovic. Nadal won in 2010 and 2013. The only year in the past four in which he has not reached the final was 2012, when he chose not to enter due to a knee injury. The current wrist problems are new for the 28 year old but are the latest in a career often hampered by injury.
“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,” Nadal went on to say.
“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.”
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