It will be the second time in three years that the 28-year-old Spaniard has had to withdraw from the Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows in New York City, in a career increasingly beset by injury woes.

The tournament is due to get underway on Monday (August 25).

Announcing his decision on Facebook, Nadal wrote: "I am very sorry to announce I won't be able to play at this year's US Open, a tournament on which I've played three consecutive finals in my last participations.

"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...

"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."

Injury, including back problems, has beset Rafael Nadal's career in recent years, forcing him to withdraw from a number of Grand Slams and the Olympic Games ©Getty Images



He beat Serbian Novak Djokovic in last year's final over four sets to win the title for the second time, after 2010.

Nadal also made the final in 2011, where he lost to Djokovic, before pulling out in 2012, a year in which he also missed the London Olympic Games.

The 14-time Grand Slam winner has not competed since losing in the fourth round at Wimbledon to Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios last month.

Only three other men have not returned to defend their US Open title the following year: Australian Ken Rosewall in 1971, Pete Sampras of the Untied States in 2003 and Argentine Juan Martin del Potro in 2010.