BEIJING, Sept 9: Defending champion Rafael Nadal has pulled out of next week's China Open because of an ankle injury, organisers said on Saturday.
The world No 2, who was knocked out of the US Open quarter-finals by Mikhail Youzhny this week, would have been top seed at the $500,000 tournament at the Beijing Tennis Centre.
“I am really sorry to my fans in China as I was looking forward to come Beijing and defend my title,” the 20-year-old Spaniard was quoted as saying on the tournament's official website.—Reuters