Injury casts doubt over Nadal’s US Open defence

Sport360 staff 06:13 31/07/2014
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  • Injury concerns: Rafael Nadal

    Rafael Nadal’s US Open participa­tion has been called into question by an injury which will force him to wear a cast on his right wrist for up to three weeks.

    The world No2 won the event last year, beating Novak Djokovic in the final for his 13th major title, to which he has since added this year’s French Open.

    But he faces a tight schedule to be fit for this year’s event, which starts on August 25, after suffering an injury which will prevent him also defending his Rogers Cup and Western and Southern Open titles earlier in the month.

    “Unfortunately I injured my right wrist yesterday (Tuesday) during practice and after the tests I have undergone today in Spain, including an MRI, and checking with my doctors, I will have to stay out of competition for at least 2-3 weeks,” said Nadal.

    “I’m extremely disappointed that I am unable to defend my titles and compete in Toronto and Cincinnati this year. I was looking forward to coming and playing again after my great results last year.

    “I was looking forward to playing again in Toronto as I have always loved to play in Canada and had great results in the past at a very important event.”

    Wrist injuries have been com­monplace in tennis this season, with men’s world No8 Juan Martin del Potro undergoing surgery and Laura Robson falling to fourth in the British women’s rankings after a similar issue.

    While Nadal’s injury is to his right wrist, not his dominant hand, his two-handed backhand would still be badly affected.

    Nadal hasn’t played since his shock Wimbledon fourth round loss to Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios four weeks ago.

    “It is very unfortunate that Rafa is unable to defend his title,” said Vince Cicero, tournament director of the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati.

    “He is a great champion, and his run to the title last year electrified our fans. We will miss him, and we wish him a very speedy recovery.”

    Nadal is one of five players to withdraw from the Cincinnati event due to injury. But the tourna­ment still boasts a powerful field led by Novak Djokovic, Roger Fed­erer and Andy Murray.

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