Defending Champion Rafael Nadal Withdraws From US Open

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Defending Champion Rafael Nadal Withdraws From US Open
By Thurston Soros, Lawn Tennis Analyst, Posted: Wednesday, August 20, 2014 12:33pm PST USA

NEW YORK--The 2013 US Open champion Rafael Nadal of Spain has withdrawn from the upcoming US Open with an ongoing right wrist injury.

Nadal of Spain previously withdrew from his summer hard court scheduled tournaments but had hoped to be fit for tennis’ final grand slam of the year.

“I am very sorry to announce I won’t be able to play at this year’s U.S. Open, a tournament on which I’ve played three consecutive finals in my last participations.” Nadal said.

“I am sure you understand that it is a very tough moment for me since it is a tournament I love… Not much more I can do right now, other than accept the

Rafael Nadal of Spain

Nadal lost in his last match on the ATP Tour in June in the fourth round on the grass at Wimbledon to the unseeded Nick Kyrgios of Australia 7-6(7-5), 5-7, 7-6(7-5), 6-3.

situation and… work hard in order to be able to compete at the highest level once I am back.”

The second ranked and former world number one Nadal lost in his last match on the ATP Tour in June in the fourth round on the grass at Wimbledon to the unseeded Nick Kyrgios of Australia 7-6(7-5), 5-7, 7-6(7-5), 6-3 after winning a record ninth French Open title on the clay at Paris.

In 2010 Nadal reached the final round of the US Open without dropping a set. He then defeated the then third seeded Novak Djokovic of Serbia 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 in the final to take his first of two New York championships.

Nadal defeated Djokovic in the US Open final again last year 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

The 28 year old Nadal is known for his topspin baseline game and for his tenacity and determination on the tennis court.

Nadal sustained the wrist injury while practicing last month near his home in Spain.

The two week US Open begins on Monday.