Andy Murray has pulled out of the US Open after failing to recover from a hip injury.
The world No.2 struggled through Wimbledon with the problem, losing in the quarter-finals to Sam Querrey, but his prospects for Flushing Meadows had looked positive when he travelled to New York last weekend.
However, after a week of practice Murray has decided he is not fit enough to do himself justice.
"I did pretty much everything I could to get myself ready here, took a number of weeks off after Wimbledon, spoke to a lot of hip specialists, tried resting, rehabbing to get myself ready here and was practising OK the last few days but it's too sore for me to win the tournament and ultimately that's what I was here to try and do, so unfortunately I won't be playing this year," the Scot, who looked close to tears, said.
Murray's withdrawal means five of the top 11 men will not be playing at Flushing Meadows, with Milos Raonic joining the Scot, last year's champion Wawrinka, runner-up Djokovic and 2014 finalist Nishikori in pulling out.
Wawrinka, Djokovic and Nishikori have followed the example of Roger Federer, who took the final six months of last season off to fully recover from knee surgery and has reaped the benefits this year.
"If I get myself fit and healthy, there is no reason why I can't (come back at the same level)," Murray, who will miss a slam for the first time since the French Open in 2013, said.
"I have been practising here and been competitive in practice when I'm not moving close to how I can when I'm healthy. Obviously there has been a lot of players with injuries this year. Roger and Rafa (Nadal) last year had a few problems.
"I want to be back on court as soon as I can. If it means that I can play before the end of the year, then that's what I would love to do. I miss competing, and I'll try to get myself back on court as soon as I can.
"But obviously I'll need to make the correct decision and really think it through these next couple of days with my team."
Murray's withdrawal means a reshuffling of the men's draw, with fifth seed Marin Cilic taking over the No.2 slot and an opening match against American Tennys Sandgren.
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