20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal took to social media on Friday to announce that he will miss the remaining part of 2021 season due to a foot injury that has been troubling him for a year.  

“I wanted to inform you that unfortunately I have to end the 2021 season. Honestly, I have been suffering much more than I should with my foot for a year and I need to take some time… to find a solution to this problem or at least improve it in order to continue to have options for the next few years,” Nadal said.

“I’m with the maximum enthusiasm and predisposition to do whatever it takes to recover the best possible shape to keep competing for the things that really motivate me.

“I’m convinced that with the recovery of the foot and obviously a very important daily effort… this can be achieved. I will work as hard as I can to make it happen.”

After losing to Novak Djokovic in French Open 2021, Nadal pulled out of 2020 Tokyo Olympics but was expected to return for the US Open.

Nadal suffered a shocking defeat in Washington earlier this week and pulled out of the Masters 1000 event in Toronto.

Earlier, Nadal’s rival Roger Federer also announced that he will be out of action from the US Open 2021 as he has to undergo another knee surgery.

“I’ve been doing a lot of checks with the doctors, as well, on my knee, getting all the information, as I hurt myself further during the grass-court season and Wimbledon. Unfortunately, they told me for the medium to long term, to feel better, I will need surgery, so I decided to do it. I will be on crutches for many weeks and then also out of the game for many months,” Federer said.

Nadal pulling out of US Open 2021 means it gives Novak Djokovic a chance to surpass both the Spaniard and Federer to become the first man in men’s tennis to win 21 Grand Slams. The trio currently has 20 majors each.

Djokovic, who has won all three Grand Slams this year, will look to complete a Calendar Slam by winning the US Open. He returned without a medal from Tokyo Olympics.