US Open 2014, Rafael Nadal Drops Out Of Tennis Competition - Star Won't Return to Defend 2013 Win

It's a sad day for sports fans as Rafael Nadal just had to pull out of this year's US Open after suffering from a wrist injury, which he sustained while practicing at his home on July 29.

The Spanish tennis pro opened up on his Facebook page about his rough decision to sit the competition out.

"I am very sorry to announce I wouldn't be able to play this years US Open a tournament on which I've played 3 consecutive finals in my last participations," he wrote on his profile.

"I am sure you understand that it is a very tough moment for me since it is a tournament I love and where I have great memories from fans, the night matches, so many things," he continued. "Not much more I can do right now, other than accept the situation and, as always in my case, work hard in order to be able to compete at the highest level once I am back."

According to ESPN, Nadal is only the fourth tennis player in history to not return to the court to defend a reigning win, the following year. He joins other men's single's winners Ken Rosewall, Pete Sampras, and Juan Martin del Potro, as he sits out this year.

This isn't the first time that an injury has caused Rafael to sit out the tournament, as a knee ailment forced him to skip the 2012 US Open.

With the tennis star choosing to sit out the competition, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic become the two top favorites and will battle it out later this month.

The US Open begins on August 25 and runs through till September 8.