Rafael Nadal withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters for the second year in a row after polishing off his US Open preparation with a Rogers Cup title on Sunday.
The announcement came a few hours after Nadal beat Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-0 to clinch his fifth Montreal title.
The oft-injured Spaniard decided against playing any more before the August 26 start of the US Open in New York.
“I am very sorry to announce that I won’t be playing in Cincinnati this year,” Nadal posted on Facebook. “No other reason than personally taking care of my body and trying to keep as healthy as I feel now.”
Nadal said he explained his position to Cincinnati tournament director Andre Silva, whom he said understood. “I’m sure the tournament will be a success and I wish him and his team all the best,” Nadal said.
Nadal will go into the US Open with just one hard-court warm-up, albeit his record-extending 35th Masters 1000 title.
His late withdrawal leaves the Cincinnati draw severely lopsided, with top seed Novak Djokovic and No 3 Roger Federer positioned in the top half. Neither of the pair have played since their Wimbledon final a month ago won by Djokovic.
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