Reigning champ Juan MD Potro has officially withdrawn from the US Open. The Argentine said he is not yet ready to get back on the court.
Del Potro released a statement to ATP saying he was extremely sad that he could not play this year and added "but I have only started practicing in the last two weeks and unfortunately I cannot compete at the top level yet,” he said. “I look forward to returning to New York in 2011 and wish all the best to the tournament organizers and my fellow players.”
In the Open Era only Ken Rosewall in 1971 and Pete Sampras in 2003, didn't defend their titles. Sampras of course retired in 2002 and didn't return to defend.