Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the 2014 US Open Tennis Championships, having failed to recover from the wrist injury that has kept him out of the American hard court season.
The Spaniard has reached the final in each of the last three tournaments he has played at Flushing Meadows, winning in both 2010 and 2013, finishing runner-up in 2011, and missing out altogether in 2012 due to his persistent knee complaints.
Nadal confirmed the news via his Facebook page in a statement below:
Nadal’s right wrist injury has now already prevented him from defending 4000 ATP World Tour points, and Novak Djokovic has overtaken him in the singles rankings.
Although left handed, Nadal requires the use of his wrist to play his two-handed backhand, and would not be able to play with a cast.
Given the poor form of both Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray in recent weeks, Roger Federer may now be favourite to triumph at the final Grand Slam of the year, having claimed his 80th title at the Cincinnati Masters.
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