The US Open took a huge hit on Wednesday as defending champion Dominic Thiem announced his withdrawal from the year's final Grand Slam tournament due to a right wrist injury. Thiem is the latest big name to pull out of the US Open, joining Roger Federer, who will be undergoing knee surgery soon.
Thiem announced his withdrawal on Twitter, writing, "I'm really disappointed not to be able to defend the title in New York but I haven't recovered from the wrist injury I suffered back in June at the Mallorca Open."
Thiem's right wrist injury needs more time to heal properly
The reigning US Open champion suffered a detachment of the posterior sheath of the ulnar side of his right wrist when battling Adrian Mannarino at the Mallorca Championships on June 22. He was leading Mannarino in the first set before withdrawing due to the pain. The Austrian star's team released a statement two days after, saying Thiem would wear a splint for several weeks.
Thiem was looking to return at the US Open but unfortunately encountered a setback as he ramped up his training. Thiem said that while hitting a ball during training, he started to feel some pain again. After undergoing some tests, doctors told Thiem that his wrist needs more time to recover and heal.
Thiem won't just miss the US Open as he decided to shut down his entire season to let his right wrist heal properly. The year 2021 hasn't been kind to Thiem, who finished his season with just a 9-9 record. Many expected Thiem to reach new heights after capturing his maiden Grand Slam victory last year in New York, but the opposite happened.
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Thiem's 2021 season is a huge disappointment
Thiem's best result this season was a semifinal finish at the Mutua Madrid Open. This year, he had a horror showing in the majors, losing in the fourth round at the Australian Open before suffering a shock first-round exit at Roland Garros.
US Open organizers hope Thiem will be the last big name to pull out of the Grand Slam tournament, which will start on August 30. Earlier this week, Roger Federer stunned fans when he announced his withdrawal after re-injuring his knee during the grass court season and the Wimbledon Championships.
Stan Wawrinka also won't make the trip to New York as he hasn't fully recovered from his left foot surgery. It will be the second straight year that the defending champion in the men's draw won't play the US Open. Rafael Nadal failed to defend his title in 2020 due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
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