Jack Draper has withdrawn from the US Open with an arm injury.
The British No1 was set to take on Zizou Bergs in the second round in New York, New York on Thursday, but has pulled out of the year’s final Grand Slam with the problem.
Bergs will now advance into the third round with a bye.
Draper reached the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows last year, beaten in the heat by eventual champion and world No1 Jannik Sinner on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Draper had beaten Federico Agustin Gomez in four sets in his opening match to set up an encounter with Bergs, but his major tournament campaign is now over for the year with his withdrawal.
"I'm sorry to say I'll be withdrawing from the US Open," said the 23-year-old. "I tried my very best to be here and give myself every chance to play but the discomfort in my arm has become too much and I have to do what is right and look after myself.
"Thank you for all the support, it means so much to me. Until next year NYC."
The world No5 had said after his victory over Gomez that he believed his injury was “not a question mark”, and that he insisted it would not harm his ability to be competitive in the latter stages of the tournament.
He had shown that he was in full flow during the mixed doubles event, where he partnered Jessica Pegula, as he produced some spectacular tennis in victories over Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz and Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev, before he and his American partner were beaten in the last four by Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud.
Upon arriving in New York, Draper had not played since his Wimbledon defeat by Marin Cilic and returned to the hard courts without any match practice on the surface.
