For the second consecutive year, Rafael Nadal is not playing the US Open. The Spaniard missed the event due to COVID-19 uncertainty last season, and this time around, a nagging left foot injury is keeping him away. He might not be taking the courts at Flushing Meadows, but fans can catch Rafa on the course.

This upcoming weekend, the world No. 5 is the top seed at the Balearic Golf Championship for Mid-Amateurs in Mallorca. In his Washington, D.C. debut earlier this month, Nadal went 1-1, upset by Lloyd Harris in the third round. He then flew to Toronto where he was due to face Harris again at the Masters 1000 event. Instead, Nadal cited the ongoing foot injury that forced him to skip Wimbledon and the Olympics, and withdrew.

Advertising

After consulting with his physician, Nadal made the difficult decision to end his 2021 season altogether. Although he has avoided intense practice sessions, he's not completely avoiding physical activity. Competing at his home amateur golf tournament, Nadal—who plays the sport right-handed—will hope to improve upon last year's fourth-place finish.

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are tied with Nadal at 20 major titles. The Serbian has an opportunity to take the lead for the first time—and clinch a historic calendar Grand Slam as the only Big 3 member competing in New York.