Milos Raonic joined the list of prominent players who have pulled out of the US Open.
The 11th-ranked Canadian has withdrawn due to a left wrist injury that also knocked him out of Cincinnati.
McEnroe: Dimitrov Can Reach US Open Final
"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," Raonic 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."
The 2016 Wimbledon finalist had surgery to remove portions of the bone in his left wrist.
"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," Raonic said. "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."
To all my friends and fans, 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. Yours, Milos Raonic #TeamMilos
A post shared by Milos Raonic (@mraonic) on
Raonic joins 2016 US Open champion Stan Wawrinka, 2016 finalist Novak Djokovic and former finalist Kei Nishikori in pulling out of the Flushing Meadows major, though unlike those players he is aiming to return to action later this season.
"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," Raonic said. "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."
The US Open is the only Grand Slam where Raonic has not reached at least the quarterfinals. He was a quarterfinalist at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon this season.
Photo credit: Milos Raonic Facebook