SB Nation New York - Rafael Nadal Withdraws From U.S. Open Tennis Tournamenthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2012-08-16T17:14:58-04:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/30118302012-08-16T17:14:58-04:002012-08-16T17:14:58-04:002012 U.S. Open: Roger Federer Troubled By Rafael Nadal's Injury
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<p>Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are competitors and they've had their battles with Rafael Nadal. But both of those champions are aware of what it means not to have Nadal at the U.S. Open, the final major tournament of the season.</p>
<p>Nadal's ongoing knee problems are keeping him out of the U.S. Open, making one less great tennis player to root for among the field. It hasn't been a completely disappointing year for Nadal, since he did win yet another French Open. But he lost in the second round of Wimbledon and was also a no-show for the Olympics where he would've had the chance to defend his singles title.</p>
<p><a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/16/sport/tennis/federer-nadal-djokovic-murray-tennis/index.html">Here's what Federer told reporters</a> about the situation after setting up a third-round clash with Australian rising star Bernard Tomic:</p>
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<p>"I wrote him and he told me it wasn't looking good at all. I kind of knew. But obviously when it's official it's disappointing for tennis, there's no doubt about it. I would love to have him in the draw. In particular 12 days before the Open you figure he might still have time to fix what he has to fix to get ready.</p>
<p>That's what is sort of scary. There is obviously the whole debate going on if he is going come back for this year. I hope he will. He's definitely got some more weeks off now because of it. I hope in hindsight this is a very smart decision by him. But it's obviously a big blow and disappointing news for the tennis world."</p>
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<p>Novak Djokovic had similar sentiments, saying that tennis would lose a little without Rafa because of the history he brings to the sport.</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For all your US Open and tennis news, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/tennis" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #29388a; font-weight: bold;">SB Nation's tennis hub</a>. Stay with <a target="_blank" href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #29388a; font-weight: bold;">SB Nation New York </a>for more as the tennis season's final Slam approaches.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/8/16/3247870/rafael-nadal-injury-us-openBrandon Scott2012-08-15T15:54:46-04:002012-08-15T15:54:46-04:00Rafael Nadal Withdraws From U.S. Open Tennis Tournament
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<img alt="June 28, 2012; London, ENGLAND; Rafael Nadal (ESP) reacts during his match against Lukas Rosol (CZE) on day four of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-US PRESSWIRE" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2ZhfgnYucCR4ycgi-JzqdT2Iwls=/0x154:586x545/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/7658238/20120628_jel_au2_225.jpg" />
<figcaption>June 28, 2012; London, ENGLAND; Rafael Nadal (ESP) reacts during his match against Lukas Rosol (CZE) on day four of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Rafael Nadal withdrew from the 2012 U.S. Open on Wednesday, still recovering from a knee injury that kept him out of the Olympics.</p> <p>One of the biggest names in tennis, Rafael Nadal, announced Wednesday morning that he would not be ready to play in the 2012 U.S Open at the end of August in Flushing. Nadal suffered a knee injury during play at Wimbledon, where he was surprisingly bounced in the second round. The decorated Spaniard was forced to pull out of the London Olympics, and he was looking to rest and heal with an eye on the US Open. But Nadal issued a statement indicating he would not be ready, a big blow on the men's side of the draw. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/2012-08-15/201208151345044764665.html">Via Eric Bruehl at USOpen.org</a>:</p>
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<p>"I am very sad to announce that I am still not ready to play and have to withdraw from this year's US Open in NYC. I am sorry since I always found great crowds and great support, but I have to continue with my recuperation and preparation to be ready to play in the right conditions. I want to say hi and thanks to all the fans in particular to the New Yorkers. I'll miss you all this year at the Open!"</p>
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<p>Nadal was the runner-up last year, falling to Novak Djokovic in the finals. The US Open was the final major he captured to complete his career slam in 2010. This will be the first time he won't appear in the season's final Slam since 2003.</p>
<p><i>For all your US Open and tennis news, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/tennis">SB Nation's tennis hub</a>. Stay with <a target="_blank" href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/">SB Nation New York </a>for more as the tennis season's final Slam approaches.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/8/15/3245252/rafael-nadal-withdraws-2012-us-openBrendan Porath