In a statement posted to his Facebook page, Spaniard Rafael Nadal announced that he would be forced to miss this year's US Open where he is the defending champion.

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 3 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.

The 28-year-old has not played a match since losing in the fourth round of Wimbledon to Nick Kyrgios due to a right wrist injury. Last week, Nadal had delayed his decision about whether or not he would play at the US Open as he was seen practicing without a splint. It seems there was a possibility but in the end it was not meant to be.

Roger Federer will now become the No. 2 seed behind last year's finalist, Novak Djokovic.

2011 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro also withdrew earlier this month, leaving only four past champions in the draw: Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Lleyton Hewitt.

Main draw play of the US Open kicks off in New York on August 25th. 

(Photo: Dan Istitene/Getty Images)