Rafael Nadal, who has not competed since sustaining an abdominal strain at Wimbledon last month, has withdrawn from the ATP tournament in Montreal next week, he said on Twitter on Friday.
The decision is a big setback for the Spaniard’s ambitions of being totally fit for the US Open, which begins at the end of the month in New York.
Since my return to training, these weeks have gone smoothly. Nadal tweeted in Spanish, “I began working on my service four days ago, and yesterday, after training, I experienced some discomfort that persists to this day.”
“We have decided not to fly to Montreal and to continue training without exerting undue effort.
“I have no choice but to be prudent and consider my health at this time.”
The 36-year-old, a five-time victor in Montreal, has not competed since withdrawing from his Wimbledon semifinal against Nick Kyrgios due to an abdominal strain he sustained in the quarterfinals.
In the absence of Novak Djokovic at Flushing Meadows, Rafael Nadal will be hoping to add to his record 22 Grand Slam championships.
Prior to his most recent setback, he has already missed eleven Grand Slam tournaments since his 2003 debut.
In addition, he has withdrawn from five Slams due to injuries.
Nadal won the first two Grand Slam tournaments of the year, the Australian and French Opens, and was on track to become the first man to win the Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969.