Rafael Nadal's rivals have expressed their concerns over the Spaniard's long-term fitness after he was forced to pull out of the US Open with the knee injury that has sidelined him since Wimbledon.
The world No 2, who completed his set of grand slams by winning in New York in 2010, was forced to miss the Olympics and the Masters Series events in Toronto and Cincinnati with the injury, and is still not ready to compete due to tendinitis in his left knee.
Nadal reached the final of the US Open last year but his long-term rival Roger Federer says he was not surprised by the decision to pull out this time around.
"It's not a surprise because I wrote to him and he told me it wasn't looking good at all," said Federer. "But obviously when it's official it's disappointing for tennis, there's no doubt about it.
"I would love to have him in the draw. With 12 days before the Open you figure he might still have time to fix what he has to fix to get ready.
"If he pulls out that early before the Open, it must be something serious. That's what is sort of scary. There is obviously the whole debate going on if he is going come back for this year.
"I hope in hindsight this is a very smart decision by him. But it's obviously a big blow and disappointing news for the tennis world."
Federer's sentiments were echoed by world No 2 Novak Djokovic and Olympic gold medallist Andy Murray.
"He's a great competitor, somebody I know really well on and off the court," Djokovic said.
"I'm sure that if he was able to perform in US Open he would come. So I wish him a quick recovery."
Murray, who has recently been dealing with his own knee problem, was equally sympathetic.
"I'm disappointed for him, it's obviously tough. He's had trouble with his knees in the past. So I hope he can rest, doesn't come back too early, and gets them fixed so he can get back to playing his best tennis."
The US Open begins at Flushing Meadows on August 27.
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