Last year 's runner-up Rafael Nadal withdraws from the U.S. Open . The French Open, which has been held in Paris since 1923, is one of tennis' most prestigious events. 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 . Nadal lost to Novak Djokovic in last year 's final in New York . Former world number one has a history of knee problems .
Last year 's runner-up Rafael Nadal withdraws from the U.S. Open . The French Open, which has been held in Paris since 1923, is one of tennis' most prestigious events. Nadal lost to Novak Djokovic in last year 's final in New York . Former world number one has a history of knee problems .