The final primary of the 2021 season is right here.
Starting Aug. 30, the tennis world will flip its consideration to the Billie Jean King Nationwide Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y., for the U.S. Open. A pair of of The sport’s largest stars Will not be hitting the exhausting courts, however.
Wright hereas Novak Djokovic begins his quest for The primary calendar Grand Slam since Steffi Graf gained all 4 primarys in 1988, Pretty a few his hardest opponents Shall be out. Defending champ Dominic Thiem Will not play; neither will Rafael Nadal. Truly, Nadal, Roger Federer and Serena Williams — Who’ve a mixed 15 U.S. Open titles — are all out. This Is in a place to be The primary time since 1997 that Not Definitely one of the three are Inside the event.
Sadly, They are not The one ones who Shall be missed in Ny. Sporting Information breaks down which prime stars have withdrawn from the 2021 U.S. Open.
Top tennis stars out of 2021 US Open
Replace: On Aug. 30, Jelena Ostapenko (medical causes), Jennifer Brady (knee damage) and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (damage) withdrew from the event.
(In alphabetical order)
Roger Federer
The 40-yr Swiss star introduced Aug. 15 on Instagram that he underwent knee surgical procedure — the third on his proper knee — and would miss A substantial Interval of time. The 20-time Grand Slam champ is hoping to reflip however understands how troublesome It is going to be To reflip again as quickly as extra.
“I am reaitemizingic, don’t get me incorrect,” Federer said. “I understand how troublesome it is at this age proper now to do ancompletely different surgical procedure And look at out it, however look, I’ve to be healthful And that i’ll Bear the rehab course of additionally with a objective while I’m nonetheless lively, which I really feel Goes To assist me all by way of this Very prolonged time period.”
MORE: Federer out ‘many months’ after knee surgical procedure
Sofia Kenin
The rising American star, who gained the 2020 Australian Open, withdrew from the U.S. Open after testing constructive for COVID-19. The world’s No. 5-ranked participant said she was vaccinated and has delicate signs.
I plan to spend The subsequent a quantity of weeks getting healthful and getting studyy to play properly this fall. Thanks all for assisting me. I even Want to want All of the gamers One of the Greater of luck in Ny. 2/2
— Sofia Kenin (@SofiaKenin) August 26, 2021
Rafael Nadal
In distinction to A pair of of The completely different gamers on this itemizing, Nadal introduced on Instagram That He is shutting down for The Reprimaryder of the yr.
“I have been struggling An extreme quantity of with my foot for the final yr,” he said. “I missed A lot of important events for me Simply like the US Open now, like Wimbledon, Olympics And a lot of completely different events That are so important and emotional for me.”
He famous he expert An identical problem in 2005 and the prognosis then wasn’t good; however, as Everyphysique is Aware of — and he careworn — that prognosis was incorrect. He gained the French Open earlier than the damage and now has 20 primary victories complete, collectively with 4 U.S. Opens.
Milos Raonic
The USTA introduced Aug. 25 thOn the Canadian had withdrawn As a Outcome of of a proper leg damage. Raonic has been battling a calf damage And in addition missed the French Open, Wimbledon and the Olympics.
Dominic Thiem
The defending champ posted on Twitter his withdrawal As a Outcome of of a wrist damage he suffered in June On the Mallorca Open. He felt ache all by way of teaching the week of Aug. 9 After which visited docs.
“After some checks, they said that my wrist wants extra time, so We have all agreed on being conservative and To current my wrist A while to recuperate,” he wrote.
Stan Wawrinka
The 2016 U.S. Open champ posted an Instagram video on June 21 following his second foot surgical procedure of the yr. “Similar place, completely different day, not wright here I needed to be however nonetheless a smile on my face,” the caption study. His withdrawal from the event was introduced in early August.
Serena Williams
A six-time winner in Flushing Meadows, Williams Will not compete On the U.S. Open for The primary time since 2017.
“After cautious consideration and following The suggestion of my docs and medical group, I have decided to withdraw from the US Open To permit my physique to heal utterly from a torn hamstring,” Williams wrote on Instagram on Aug. 25 . “Ny Is Amongst The numerous Most nice cities On the earth And constructively one of my favourite places to play — I am going To overlook seeing the followers however Shall be cheering everyone on from afar.
“Thanks In your proceedd assist and love. I am going to see you quickly.”
Williams has not performed a aggressive match since Wimbledon, wright here she retired from her first-spherical match after a slip and fall. Her quest to tie Margaret Courtroom’s doc (man or woman) of 24 Grand Slam titles will proceed To attend.
MORE: Serena Williams is out | Venus Williams is out
Venus Williams
The identical day Serena introduced she Wouldn’t be having fun with, Venus introduced her withdrawal.
“Not One of the biggest news from Serena And that i right now,” the 2000 and 2001 champ said on Twitter. “I too am unable to play the US Open. It is super, super, super disappointing. Having some factors with my leg all this summer time and just Might not work by way of it.”
Wright hereas she gained’t be having fun with in Ny, Venus will nonetheless be busy. She joked at Wimbledon all by way of an interview with ESPN she “Might be undateable” and converseed about she is now open to The thought.
“I am accepting purposes from all bachelors above 5 foot tall. Smart, however not smarter than me. Has a job and Does not converse An extreme quantity of. My coach Eric Hechtman is taking all purposes Because you’ve to contrihowevere to the championships,” she said with a smile.