Rafael Nadal: Withdrawal from 2012 US Open Signals Start of Star's Decline

Rafael Nadal's withdrawal from the 2012 US Open in New York this summer due to a nagging knee injury signals the beginning of the end for one the greatest tennis players of all-time.

ESPN.com reported on Wednesday that Nadal withdrew from the year's final major tournament shortly after the Spaniard posted this on Twitter:

"

I am very sad to announce that I am not ready to play the US Open in NY. Thanks to my fans for their support and specially, the new yorkers.

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) August 15, 2012"

It's safe to say that at 26 years old, the wear and tear of Rafa's style of play, in addition to 11 Grand Slam titles, has taken its toll on Nadal's body, mainly his knees.

Tendon problems in Nadal's left knee have been hampering him all season, were certainly bothering him at Wimbledon, and are now keeping him out of the US Open, which he won in 2010.

It's incredibly difficult to see Nadal continuing his string of success after a setback like this. That's why this moment signals the start of Rafa's decline in my eyes.

His aggressive style was never meant to last long into his early 30s. What has made Rafa so great over the past few years has been the passion he plays with, as well as the physicality he brings to the game, so we can't fault him for the consequences.

Unfortunately, knee troubles are a result of that dominating style. 

He has won seven French Open championships in eight years, which speaks to the sort of demand he has placed on his knees over the course of his career.

To be clear, I'm not saying that Rafa will never compete at a high level again, but rather his journey to be the No. 1 player in the world is over and that his play will decline from here.

Nadal will likely miss the rest of the 2012 season and return for Australian Open next January. Five months after that he will turn 27 and have 10 years of high-intensity tennis under his belt. 

Not to mention his aching knees will still be an issue as he attempts to defeat the likes of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray in grueling, best-of-five-set majors. 

At this moment, the future looks grim for Nadal. He enters his late 20s with a serious injury in a sport that demands champions be 100 percent healthy and in top form. 

The 2012 US Open marks the first time Rafa will miss a major since Wimbledon 2009, when again his banged-up knees were an issue. 

In the end, this sad news signals the beginning of the end for Nadal's dominance in the sport of tennis.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter For More Reaction and Analysis on the 2012 US Open This Summer.