Rafael Nadal will not defend his title at the US Open because of an injured right wrist.

Nadal and the tournament announced his withdrawal on Monday, a week before the year’s last grand slam tournament begins.

The 27-year-old Spaniard was hurt on July 29 while practicing on his home island of Mallorca ahead of the North American hard-court circuit.

The next day, Nadal said he had been told by doctors to wear a cast on his wrist for two-to-three weeks, but he hoped to be able to return in time for the US Open.

The second-ranked Nadal plays left-handed, but he uses a two-handed backhand.

It’s only the fourth time in the Open era, which began in 1968, that the reigning US Open men’s champion is not in the field.