2011 US Open: Why Rafael Nadal Won't Win the 2011 US Open Championships

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 03: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts to a play during his final round Gentlemen's match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Day Thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July

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The US Open is coming nearer and nearer. In just a month, play will begin at Flushing Meadows in New York.

Like with the other Grand Slam tournaments, people will always try to predict who will be the winner.

And while we wait for the time to come, here are some reasons Rafael Nadal, the current world No. 2, will not be the King of Queens this year around.

Novak Djokovic

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Novak Djokovic has been the man to beat all year. He has a near-perfect 48-1 record this year. Who's to stop him?

No one, not even Rafael Nadal. Djokovic has beaten Nadal on all five of their meetings this year, on all surfaces. Djokovic beat Nadal in Indian Wells, Miami (hard), Madrid, Rome (clay) and Wimbledon (grass).

With this record against Djokovic, Nadal will certainly have a mental block when playing Djokovic, much as Federer has with Nadal.

Other Players: Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Juan Martin Del Potro, Etc.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: Roger Federer of Switzerland wipes his face during his quarterfinal round match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France on Day Nine of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June

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Not only does Nadal have to worry about Djokovic, he may also have to deal with the likes of Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro.

All three of these players are great players and can give Nadal a run for his money at the US Open.

Surface

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 13: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts while playing against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during his men's singles final match on day fifteen of the 2010 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 13, 2010 in th

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Rafael Nadal's least favorite surface is hard, especially the hard surface at the US Open.

In fact, it was only last year Nadal was able to master this surface. If Nadal were to lose at a Grand Slam, it would most definitely be at the US Open.

Inconsistencies in Non-Clay Grand Slams

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 26: Rafael Nadal of Spain shows his emotions in his quarterfinal match against David Ferrer of Spain during day ten of the 2011 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 26, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Julia

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Nadal has not been able to defend any non-clay Grand Slam to date.

Nadal won the 2008 Wimbledon championships but did not compete in 2009. Nadal also won the Australian Open title in 2009 but retired against Andy Murray in the quarterfinals the next year.

History is not on Nadal's side when defending titles that are not played on his favorite surface.

Possible Injuries

ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - FEBRUARY 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain receives treatment from the trainer during the singles final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day seven of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament at the Ahoy Centre Rotterdam on F

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Nadal is prone to injuries, and the hardcourts are the most unforgiving of surfaces. Nadal will be more prone to injuries here than at any other Grand Slam.

Lack of Confidence

PARIS - NOVEMBER 12: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts with frustration during his match against Tommy Robredo of Spain during the ATP Masters Series at the Palais Omnisports De Paris-Bercy on November 12, 2009 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Im

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Nadal is known to gain confidence when playing—and winning—on clay. Unfortunately for him, Nadal has "only" won the French Open this year.

With a subpar clay season, Nadal has been looking more vulnerable and without as much confidence as we saw him last year. And Novak Djokovic, as mentioned earlier, doesn't help his case either.

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