Blow for US Open as holder Thiem pulls out

Gulf Today Report

US Open defending champion Dominic Thiem announced his withdrawal from the last Grand Slam of the year due to a nagging wrist injury picked in June.

"Unfortunately, I've to withdraw from the US Open and will miss the rest of the 2021 season," he posted on Twitter.

Thiem had been making a good recovery before he felt a new pain in the wrist, which again derailed his recovery.

“It is a big disappoint, not to be defending the title. In the past six weeks, I have been working out regularly to remain fit and seeking a lot of medical assistance before restarting the training,” he added.

Thiem joined the long list of the withdrawals in a further blow to the tournament, which is already reeling under the crisis of the absence of the big names.

Roger Federer pulled out last Sunday in the first major blow to the tournament. World number one Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are not playing at the on-going Cincinnati Masters, which is a prelude to the fourth Grand Slam of the Year.

Djokovic, who is on course for a calendar slam, having won the previous three in the same year, will likely play in the tournament.

He recently missed out on completing a Golden Slam, having been defeated in the semis. Had he won a gold and followed it up with US Open title, he would become the only second player in the history and first male to do so after Steffi Graff achieved the feat in 1988.