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Rafael Nadal’s US Open participation has been called into question by an injury that will force him to wear a cast on his right wrist for up to three weeks.
The world No2 won the event in 2013, beating Novak Djokovic in the final for his 13th major title, to which he has since added this year’s French Open.

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

He faces a tight schedule to be fit for the tournament, which starts on August 25, after suffering an injury that will prevent him defending his Rogers Cup and Western and Southern Open titles.

A statement issued on behalf of Nadal said: “Rafa won’t be able to compete and defend his titles in Canada and Cincinnati. The player felt some pain during practice in Mallorca. After some tests the doctors found a minor detachment of the posterior cubital tunnel of his right wrist.

“The cubital tunnel houses the ulnar nerve, which runs from the elbow to the fingers and is colloquially known as the ‘funny bone’. The player must remain for two or three weeks with an immobilisation cast on his right wrist. Depending on the evolution of the injury … it will be decided when to return to competition.”

Wrist injuries have been common in tennis this season, with the world No 8 Juan Martín del Potro undergoing surgery and Laura Robson falling to fourth in the British women’s rankings after a similar issue. — Guardian