US Open

Defending champion Nadal out of US Open

ESPN staff

August 18, 2014

Nadal withdraws US Open

Rafael Nadal will not defend his US Open title this year after pulling out of the tournament with a wrist injury.

Spaniard Nadal confirmed he would not take part at Flushing Meadows via his official Facebook page - with the tournament set to begin on August 25.

A statement read: "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 consecutive finals in my last participations.

"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."

Nadal was last in action at Wimbledon in July, where he was beaten in the last 16 by Nick Kyrgios, and had delayed his decision on whether he would play at the US Open by a week.

Nadal sat out the Masters 1000 events in Toronto and Cincinnati - which he won in 2013 - over the past fortnight.

It is the second time Nadal will miss the US Open. In 2012 he was sidelined with a knee problem for the second half of the season and did not make his return to competitive action until February 2013.

Nadal's triumph at the US Open last year was one of 10 trophies that he lifted as he ended the year as the world No.1 following seven months out with the injury.

Nadal could make his return at the China Open at the end of September - where he lost to Novak Djokovic in the final in 2013.