Defending US Open champion Rafael Nadal has officially confirmed that he won’t be participating in this year’s edition of the hardcourt Grand Slam event in New York, citing ongoing rehabilitation from right wrist injury.
“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 three consecutive finals in my last participations,” said the world No. 2 in a statement released by USTA.
“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.”
The Spaniard’s withdrawal means that Swiss tennis superstar Roger Federer will now become the number two seed in New York. Federer was fresh from a title victory at Cincinnati Masters on Sunday.
