RAFAEL NADAL, who pulled out of the Olympics with a knee injury, will not play in this month's U.S. Open, according to Miguel Angel Garcia of MARCA. Nadal posted a message on his Facebook page that read: "I am very sad to announce that I am still not ready to play and have to withdraw from this year's U.S. Open in NYC. I am sorry since I always found great crowds and great support, but I have to continue with my recuperation and preparation to be ready to play in the right conditions. I want to say hi and thanks to all the fans in particular to the new yorkers. I'll miss you all this year at the Open!" (MARCA, 8/15). In Madrid, J.J. Mateo wrote that Nadal's decision has four consequences. It will mean he has been out of tennis "for at least" 78 days, he will likely lose his world No. 3 ranking to ANDY MURRAY, he will miss a Grand Slam event for the first time since Wimbledon '09 and he will have to "keep looking for a solution to the problems that he suffers, especially with his left knee." Nadal did say the knee injury was a little different than what he's had in the past. Nadal: "It is not the same injury as in previous years, we have it more or less localized. It is a tad different." When asked when he would be back, sources from his team said, "Nobody knows" (EL PAIS, 8/15).
