For the second time in three years Rafael Nadal will miss the US Open. After a week of speculation, Nadal made it official earlier today that his ailing right wrist has not sufficiently healed to allow him to return for his title defense in New York next week.
“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.”
Nadal, who also missed the 2012 US Open due to a knee injury, has not played since his Wimbledon loss to Nick Kyrgios. He injured his right wrist almost three weeks ago during a routine training session in Mallorca.
The 28-year-old Nadal ranks No. 2 behind Novak Djokovic. Nadal’s absence means Cincinnati champion Roger Federer will be seeded second at the US Open. The stars of the sport still have never played at the US Open.
Nadal has never defended any of his 16 career hardcourt titles.
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