Defending US Open champion Rafael Nadal is to miss this year's tournament because of injury.

The Spaniard announced his decision not to compete at Flushing Meadows on his official Facebook page on Monday afternoon.

The 28-year-old has been struggling with a wrist injury and has not played since his shock Wimbledon defeat to Nick Kyrgios in July.

The problem – a new one for Nadal to deal with after long-running battles with his knees – means he is unable to defend the title he won against Novak Djokovic last year.

“I am very sorry to announce I won’t be able to play at this year’s US Open a tournament on which I’ve played 3 consecutive finals in my last participations,” Nadal wrote.

“I am sure you understand that it is a very tough moment for me since it is a tournament I love and where I have great memories from fans, the night matches, so many things...

“Not much more I can do right now, other than accept the situation and, as always in my case, work hard in order to be able to compete at the highest level once I am back.”

Having to deal with the disappointment of injury is nothing new for the Mallorcan.

He was unable to defend his Wimbledon title back in 2009 when his problematic knees caused him to breakdown, with the same problem manifesting itself in 2012.

He missed the US Open in that year too and was absent from the court for the best part of nine months before returning to win the French Open and the US in 2013.

A 14th Grand Slam title followed on the clay of Roland Garros in May this year, but his pursuit of Roger Federer’s record 17 trophies will go on hold until the Australian Open in January at least.