Nadal pulls out of Montreal ahead of US Open as Serena faces tough draw

World number three Rafael Nadal, who has not played since suffering an abdominal tear at Wimbledon last month, has withdrawn from next week´s ATP event in Montreal, he said on Twitter on Friday.

The announcement marks a major blow to the Spaniard´s hopes of being fully fit for the US Open which begins in New York at the end of the month.

“Since my return to training, everything has gone well these weeks. Four days ago I started work on my service and yesterday, after training, I had a little discomfort that was still there today,” Nadal tweeted in Spanish.

“We have decided not to travel to Montreal and continue with the training sessions without forcing ourselves. “I have no choice but to be prudent at this point and think about my health.” It was the latest in a lengthy series of injuries for Nadal who, in the absence of Djokovic at Flushing Meadows, will be looking to add to his record 22 Grand Slam titles. 

Meanwhile, Serena Williams will have her work cut out for her when the Toronto Open kicks off next week as the 23-time Grand Slam champion begins her hardcourt preparations for the upcoming US Open.

If Williams can get past a qualifier in her first round match she will then face either Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Belinda Bencic or savvy veteran and former world number one Victoria Azarenka in the second round.

Williams' brutal quarter of the draw released yesterday also includes current world number one Iga Swiatek, four-time major champion Naomi Osaka, and Canadian teen sensation Leylah Fernandez.