Grand Slam record winner Rafael Nadal has to end the 2021 season early and cancels after Roger Federer and defending champion Dominic Thiem as the next top star for the US Open (from August 30th).
The reason for this is the persistent foot problems that force the 35-year-old to take a break.
"Honestly, I have been suffering from my foot for a year more than I should, and I have to take some time off," wrote Nadal on social media.
He is optimistic about getting the problem under control: "I have great confidence and I am ready to do whatever it takes to regain the best possible shape."
Most recently, Nadal, who like Federer (Switzerland) and Novak Djokovic (Serbia) has won 20 major titles so far, was eliminated in the round of 16 in Washington at the beginning of August on his comeback after a two-month tournament break.
Even then he complained of foot problems.
Nadal had taken a break after the semi-final defeat against Djokovic at the French Open in Paris and skipped the grass highlight at Wimbledon and the Olympic Games in Tokyo.