No Repeat: Defending Champion Juan Martin Del Potro Withdraws From 2010 U.S. Open Due To Wrist Injury

There won’t be any repeat at the 2010 U.S. Open: defending champ Juan Martin Del Potro has withdrawn from the tournament, according to the USTA.

Del Potro has been out since the Australian Open, when he injured his right wrist, and was forced to undergo surgery on it. There had been a bit of confusion about whether he was planning on defending his title at Flushing Meadows after he kept his name on the entry list for the tournament. However, that was mostly a formality that merely kept alive the possibility that he could play if he recovered from surgery quicker than expected.

The 21-year-old Argentine released the following statement:

Winning in New York last year has been my major accomplishment in tennis and my best memory so far. I am so sorry for my fans, my sponsors and all the people that care about me, but I have only started practicing in the last two weeks and unfortunately I cannot compete at the top level yet. I look forward to returning to New York in 2011 and wish all the best to the tournament organizers and my fellow players.