Defending champion Rafael Nadal to miss the US Open

Defending US Open Champion Rafael Nadal will not be able to defend his crown in New York this year after being ruled out of the tournament with a wrist injury.

The Spaniard, who has not competed since his shock loss to Nick Kyrgios in Wimbledon, announced his decision to not compete on his official Facebook page earlier today. "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 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." The injury-plagued star will relinquish the crown he won against Novak Djokovic at Flushing Meadows last year, with the Serbian now the front runner to add the US Open to the Wimbledon title he won last month. JOE wishes Rafa all the best with his current injury... because he reads the site obviously.