Reigning champion Rafael Nadal pulled out of the U. Kevin Huerter Jersey .S. Open because of an injury for the second time in three years Monday, leaving Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer as the men to beat at the years last Grand Slam tournament. Nadal announced his withdrawal, blamed on a bad right wrist, one week before play begins at Flushing Meadows. "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," a posting on Nadals Facebook page read. "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." The second-ranked Nadal plays left-handed, but he uses a two-handed backhand. The 14-time major champion was hurt July 29 while practicing on his home island of Mallorca ahead of the North American hard-court circuit. The next day, Nadal announced he needed to wear a cast on his wrist for two to three weeks and would be sitting out tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati. The 28-year-old Spaniard also said at that time he expected to return for the U.S. Open. Instead, hes the fourth man in the Open era, which began in 1968, to decline to try to defend his U.S. Open title. The others were Ken Rosewall in 1971, Pete Sampras in 2003 and Juan Martin del Potro in 2010. Del Potro also is out of this years U.S. Open after wrist surgery in March. Nadal is 44-8 with four titles in 2014, including his record ninth French Open trophy in June. He has not competed since losing in the fourth round of Wimbledon on July 1. With Nadal sidelined, five-time U.S. Open champion Federer joins Djokovic as a favourite in New York -- even if there are questions about them. Federer turned 33 this month, and its been more than two years since he won one of his record 17 Grand Slam titles. But he is coming off a runner-up finish at Wimbledon last month and a hard-court title at the Cincinnati Masters on Sunday. After beating David Ferrer 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 on Sunday, Federer declared: "My games exactly where I want it to be." Djokovic won Wimbledon to take the No. 1 ranking from Nadal, but had a rough time on hard courts, losing his second match in both Toronto and Cincinnati. Still, Djokovic will be seeded No. 1 at the U.S. Open, and the third-ranked Federer is expected to rise one seeding spot to No. 2, so they could meet only in the final. The draw is Thursday. Federer reached six consecutive finals at Flushing Meadows from 2004-09, but hasnt been that far since, losing in the semifinals in 2010 and 2011, the quarterfinals in 2012, and the fourth round a year ago, when he was dealing with a bothersome back. Nadal won his second U.S. Open championship in 2013, part of a run of reaching the final in each of his last three appearances. He beat Djokovic to win the titles in 2010 and last year, and lost to Djokovic in 2011. The one question about Nadal over the years has been his durability, on account of a hard-charging, play-each-point-as-if-its-your-last style. He did not enter the U.S. Open in 2012, part of an extended absence because of a problem with his left knee. And this will be the second time Nadal chose to not attempt a defence of a major title: A year after winning Wimbledon in 2008, he missed that tournament with knee tendinitis. Atlanta Hawks Jerseys . -- Max Gilbert captured his first pro victory at the Tour Championship of Canada. Cam Reddish Hawks Jersey . The 24-year-old right winger has one assist in nine games this season with the Sabres. In his career, he has three goals and six assists in 43 NHL games. https://www.thehawkslockerroom.com/Alex-Len-City-Edition-Jersey/ . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career.Chelsea forward Pedro has suffered a broken nose in a mystery incident at his home. The Spain international has not been ruled out of Wednesdays clash with Liverpool, live on Sky Sports 1HD, but could play with a mask.Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink confirmed he spoke with Pedros wife and she assured him she was not involved, but the interim Blues boss admits he still does not know how it happened. Pedro is not out but has broken his nose - not at training but at home. He trained today, he said on Tuesday.I dont know what happened. He had a little accident on his own. His wife was not involved, she was there and I asked her. Custom Atlanta Hawks Jerseys. He very unfortunately fell and broke his nose.Hiddink also confirmed that Branislav Ivanovic and striker Diego Costa are out of the clash at Anfield but youngsters Kasey Palmer and Tammy Abraham are in the squad.We take Kasey and we take Tammy, Hiddink said. Ivanovic is out with a groin problem, Costa with a hamstring problem is out. I think he will be out for the weekend too. Also See: Chelsea video Chelsea fixtures Chelsea stats Get a ￡10 free bet! ' ' '