YEREVAN, AUGUST 19, ARMENPRESS. The defending US Open champion, Rafael Nadal, will miss the tournament this year because of a wrist injury. The Spaniard announced his decision not to compete at Flushing Meadows on his official Facebook page on Monday afternoon.

As reports “Armenpress” citing The Guardian, the 28-year-old has not played since his shock Wimbledon defeat to Nick Kyrgios in July. The problem – a new one for Nadal to deal with after long-running battles with his knees – means he is unable to defend the title he won against Novak Djokovic last year.

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