(CNN) -- World No. 3 Rafael Nadal has been forced to withdraw from the U.S. Open due to an ongoing knee complaint, the Spanish tennis star announced on Wednesday.
The French Open champion has a history of knee problems, and has not played since a surprise second-round defeat at Wimbledon in June.
The former world number one was unable to defend his Olympic title in London, and the the 26-year-old had to pull out of last week's tournament in Toronto as well as this week's event in Cincinnati.
"I am very sad to announce that I am still not ready to play and have to withdraw from this year's U.S. Open in NYC," Nadal told the U.S. Open website ahead of the season's final grand slam, which runs from August 27-September 9.
Nadal reveals heartache at Games
Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates after defeating Andy Murray of Great Britain to win his 7th Wimbledon championship in London on Sunday, July 8. Visit CNN.com/tennis for complete coverage.
Men's singles Wimbledon Championship
"I am sorry since I always found great crowds and great support, but I have to continue with my recuperation and preparation to be ready to play in the right conditions."
Nadal, who was beaten in last year's final by Novak Djokovic, missed large spells of the 2007 season due to knee problems and had to withdraw from the 2008 end-of-season championship plus the Davis Cup final due to similar troubles.
In 2009, Nadal was unable to defend his Wimbledon title after he was diagnosed with tendinitis in both knees, and he has occasionally missed tournaments since to try to manage the problem.
In March this year, he was forced to withdraw before his semifinal at the Miami Masters tournament due to the injury.
However, he managed to play a full clay-court season, winning three titles before clinching a record seventh French Open at Roland Garros.
Nadal then lost in the quarterfinals of the Halle grass event in Germany, and was beaten at Wimbledon by 100th-ranked Czech Lukas Rosol.
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Federer lies on the grass court at the All England Tennis Club upon winning match point during the men's singles final against Murray on Sunday.
Murray, the first Briton to reach a men's singles final at Wimbledon in 74 years, returns a shot to Federer during the match Sunday.
Murray returns a double-handed backhand to Federer during the men's singles Wimbledon championship on Sunday.
Murray leaves the court during a rain delay in the second set Sunday. Murray was trying to become the first British man to win the title since Fred Perry in 1936.
Ground staff pull a cover onto center court during a rain delay in the championship match.
Tennis fans shelter from a heavy downpour that developed during the match Sunday.
Federer, left, returns a shot from Murray during the men's singles Wimbledon championship in London on Sunday.
Federer returns a forehand to Murray during the first set.
Murray reaches for a short shot by Federer on Sunday.
Fans cheer during the first set of the championship match Sunday.
Federer jumps and returns a shot to Murray on Sunday.
Murray and Federer enter the court prior to the men's singles final match on the final day of Wimbledon on Sunday.
London's Mayor Boris Johnson, top left, and Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron, right, attend the match Sunday.
Pippa Middleton, left, and her sister, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, sit in the royal box during the match between Federer and Murray on Sunday.
An official changes the order of play board at the All England Lawn Tennis Club ahead of the championship match Sunday.
Tennis fans gather on Murray Mount to watch the final match Sunday.
Spectators race to claim a vantage point on Murray Mount after the gates opened at the venue on Sunday.
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