Rafael Nadal of Spain poses on the roof of Les Galeries Lafayette with Les Mousquetaires trophy following his victory in the Men's Singles Finals against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day fifteen of the 2020 French Open on October 12, 2020 in Paris, France. Rafael Nadal won his 13th trophy. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
Here is everything you need to know about Rafael Nadal taking part in the US Open 2021
The US Open 2021 will soon be entering its last week. World No.1, Novak Djokovic will be looking forward to completing a calendar slam, now that he has made it to the Round of 16 after a win over Kei Nishikori.
Although, top-ranked youngsters are still in the fray, the tournament has been missing a few big names – in fact, the biggest names.
Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Dominic Thiem are those names missing from the blockbuster tournament.
Any tournament without one of the members of the Big Three, loses its sheen, at least to a certain extent.
Although, Nadal has not been nursing injuries like Federer has been in recent times, he has had a fair share of struggles with his fitness as well.
Rafael Nadal had quite a successful 2020. Having earned his regulatory French Open win, he looked forward to emulating the same in the 2020 US Open.
He withdrew citing travel restrictions and the pandemic.
Rafa started 2021 afresh and made it to the quarterfinals, before going on to lose to Stefanos Tsitsipas, despite going 2-0 up.
Brimming with confidence, defending champion Nadal returned to the 2021 French Open. He made it to the semi-finals and suffered a shock loss against Nole. A rare loss number 3 for the Spaniard.
And that was when, he picked up a foot injury. Although, it was pretty evident during his epic match against Djokovic, Nadal never revealed it as something serious.
Even when he withdrew from the subsequent 2021 Wimbledon and 2021 Tokyo Olympics, he did not cite the foot injury.
It was only at the 2021 Citi Open that Nadal revealed that he was nursing a foot injury, and his withdrawal from the 2021 Wimbledon and Tokyo Olympics, were a result of that.
Following the 2021 Citi Open, Nadal withdrew from the 2021 National Bank Open and Cincinnati Masters due to the foot injury.
Finally, on the 20th of August, Nadal revealed that he would not be taking part in the 2021 US Open, and in tournaments in the rest of 2021 due to the left foot issue.
Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal from the 2021 US Open, made World No.1 Novak Djokovic the strong favourite.
Unlike, Federer, Nadal has earned success in the US Open across different timelines.
The last time Nadal won the US Open was only in 2019.
With four titles to his name, Nadal began his exploits in the tournament back in 2010. The King of Clay will be looking forward to using this hiatus to his advantage and would aim to come back stronger next year.
No, Rafael Nadal is not participating in the 2021 US Open.
Rafael Nadal withdrew from the 2021 US Open due to a foot injury.
Rafael Nadal picked up his foot injury at the 2021 French Open.
Rafael Nadal announced his withdrawal from the 2021 US Open on the 20th of August, 2021.
Follow our dedicated Tennis page for instant Tennis news and updates
