World No.11 Milos Raonic has become the latest high profile player to withdraw from next week’s US Open due to injury.
The former Wimbledon finalist is sidelined from action due to his ongoing left wrist injury. Raonic recently pulled out of the Cincinnati Open due to the same problem. Confirming his withdrawal in a statement posted on Instagram, he revealed that the injury has been bothering him for ‘many weeks.’
“I have tried everything in my power to rehabilitate this injury in time for the US Open in order to play an event that is so truly special to me,” he posted on Instagram. “However, the pain is too great and, in consultation with my doctors, I am left with no option but to withdraw from the event.”
On Wednesday Raonic underwent a surgical procedure to remove part of the bone in his wrist, which has been causing him discomfort. It is the latest issue to trouble the injury-hit player. Earlier in the season, the 26-year-old also suffered with hamstring and abductor injuries.
“I underwent a procedure to remove portions of the bone that have been causing the discomfort and preventing me from being able to play the way I normally can.” Raonic explained.
It is the first time the Canadian has missed the US Open since 2011 and the first time he has missed a grand slam since the 2015 French Open. Raonic has given no specific time-frame about when he will return to the tour, but stated that his rehabilitation will take ‘a few weeks.’
The former Wimbledon finalist is the fourth top-11 player that will miss the US Open due to injury. Novak Djokovic (elbow), Stan Wawrinka (knee) and Kei Nishikori (wrist) will also miss the final major of the season due to numerous injury issues. Meanwhile, Andy Murray and Marin Cilic haven’t played on the tour since Wimbledon. Murray has been nursing a hip problem and Cilic has been struggling with his abductor.
Replacing Raonic in the main draw will be a lucky loser. The US Open will get underway on Monday.
Full statement from Raonic
I’m writing to provide you with an update on my injury. As you know, I’ve been dealing with a painful condition in my left wrist, which has been bothering me for many weeks now and recently forced me to withdraw from the Cincinnati Masters. I have tried everything in my power to rehabilitate this injury in time for the US Open in order to play an event that is so truly special to me.
However, the pain is too great and, in consultation with my doctors, I am left with no option but to withdraw from the event. Today, I underwent a procedure to remove portions of the bone that have been causing the discomfort and preventing me from being able to play the way I normally can. I have too much respect for the US Open and my fellow competitors to take a spot in the draw when I know I cannot give full effort due to this injury.
I am crushed to miss this event and a chance to play in front of the fantastic New York crowd, but I truly had no other options. I am already back in the gym starting my rehabilitation, and hope to be recovered and back on the court in a matter of a few weeks. I look forward to rejoining the tour healthier and stronger and finishing the 2017 year in proper form.
Thank you for all the support. I’ll keep you updated in the days to come, and look forward to seeing you all at a match soon.
