The United States Open lost its defending men's champion as Rafael Nadal announced his withdrawal from the tournament due to an injured right wrist.

Nadal was supposed to defend his second championship at Flushing Meadows after defeating Novak Djokovic in two occasions, 2010 and last year. Djokovic scored his own when he beat Nadal in 2011.

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The Spaniard incurred the injury while practicing at home in Mallorca on July 29. Doctors told him to wear a cast for a timeframe of two to three weeks. The 27-year-old tennis star is positive that he will be able to defend his Open title. An issued statement on his Facebook page announced his disappointment.

"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," Nadal's statement on his Facebook page. "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 current number 2 in the world is left-handed but is two-handed on backhand.

Nadal will miss the tournament for the second time in three years. The man has not contended since Nick Kyrgios scored a shocking win over him in the fourth round of Wimbledon. His wrist injury is a first for him after struggling with his knee problems.

He is tied with Sampras in second for the most number of major titles won in the history of men's tennis with Roger Federer's 17 is at number one.

Since 1968, this marks the fourth time in the Open that the defending men's champion has to miss the Open the following year. The other three were Ken Rosewall (1971), Pete Sampras (2003), and Juan Martin del Porto (2010).

Tagsrafael nadal, tennis