Rafael Nadal will miss the US Open after announcing the end of his season on Friday with a left foot injury that has plagued him since the semi-final defeat at the French Open in June. Other tennis greats Roger Federer and Dominic Thiem will also miss the competition due to injury.
After losing to Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros, Nadal missed Wimbledon and the Olympics before returning to the field in Washington earlier this month.
He beat Jack Sock but then slipped into a three-set defeat at the hands of South African Lloyd Harris, after which the 35-year-old said “the foot was better”.
However, this proved premature as he later withdrew from the Toronto Masters saying “it was not a happy situation” and that the current Cincinnatti tournament is missing, the traditional curtain for the US Open starting on August 30th.
“Hello everyone, I wanted to inform you that unfortunately I have to finish the 2021 season”, wrote the Spaniard on Twitter.
“Honestly, I’ve been suffering a lot more with my foot for a year than I should and I need to take some time to fix this or at least improve the situation (if I want to be able to play) in the next few years.”
Nadal said he wanted to give his foot time to heal so he could be fully competitive in 2022.
“It is with the greatest enthusiasm that I will do everything possible to find the best possible form and return to the competition with the goals that are most important to me,” said Nadal.
Injury season
World number four, who has 20 major titles to his credit including four in New York, is just the latest big name to miss from the US Open.
On Sunday, another former champion Roger Federer also retired from Flushing Meadows.
The 40-year-old, who has won five US Opens, said he needed further knee surgery and admitted he “will be out for several months”.
Reigning champion Dominic Thiem also announced his retirement this week after failing to recover from a wrist injury.
World number one Djokovic is expected to be present despite not having played since losing the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
The Serbian has won all three majors this season and is eager to make a clean sweep in New York.
A three-time US Open champion, Djokovic aims to become the third man – and the first since 1969 – to complete a Grand Slam on the calendar.
The win would also give him a record of 20 majors, breaking the draw of 20 he currently has with Nadal and Federer.
This year’s US Open will be the second in a row that both Nadal and Federer have missed.
Originally published on RFI
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