Just like his rivals Dominic Thiem and Roger Federer, World number 4 Rafael Nadal on Friday announced that he had decided to skip the remaining action of the 2021 season due to a left foot issue. The 20-time Major winner has been dealing with foot pain for almost a year now.
Despite the pain, the Spaniard gave his best and tried to bounce back but suffered a shock exit in Washington.
For the first time since 2016, Nadal has missed on winning a Major. The star, who now has been ruled out of this month's U.S. Open, had suffered a tough loss against eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the French Open semi-finals due to the recurring foot issue.
"I wanted to inform you that unfortunately I have to end the 2021 season," Nadal tweeted on Friday.
"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."