Injured Wawrinka to miss rest of the season

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New York, Aug 5: US Open champion Stan Wawrinka will miss his title defence to have knee surgery and is also out for rest of the season.

The world No.4 had already pulled out of the upcoming ATP tournaments in Canada and Cincinnati, and joins last year's US Open runner-up Novak Djokovic on the sidelines for the rest of the season.

"This was the only solution to make sure I will be able to compete at the top level for many more years," the Swiss revealed on his Facebook page.

"This is obviously extremely disappointing, but I'm already looking ahead and planning my recovery.
"I love this sport and I will work hard to get back to my top level and play many more years.
"I will see you all in 2018!"

The 32-year-old, like Djokovic, will be hoping the time off can help him come back revitalised after a difficult month that included a first-round exit at Wimbledon.

Earlier, Wawrinka admitted that the knee injury had hampered him during that shock defeat to unseeded Russian Daniil Medvedev in London.

The four-set victory over Djokovic in the final at Flushing Meadows last year gave Wawrinka his third major crown, taking him level with current world No. 1 Andy Murray.

This season he has had fluctuating fortunes, but did reach his second French Open final where he was thrashed by Rafael Nadal.