Sun, Nov 08 2009

Rafa Nadal unlikely to defend Wimbledon title

Fri, Jun 19 2009 12:19 CET byNick Iliev 3595 Views 8 Comments
Rafa Nadal unlikely to defend Wimbledon title

A view of the new Centre Court retractable roof at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in London in this April 21, 2009 file photo. Never again will Wimbledon stage a men's final such as last year's rain-soaked epic.

World number one and defending Wimbledon Champions, Rafael Nadal will take a final decision late on  Friday, June 19 if he will be able to defend his title this year but, according to reports, his knees are far from fully recovered and time is running out.

The player has been hard hit by recurring knee problems. He visibly struggled with his movement during an exhibition match in London on June 18 against Lleyton Hewitt, which the Spaniard lost,  6-4 6-3.

According to latest medical reports, he is unlikely to play in Wimbledon unless there is a 'radical' improvement in his condition, so making the Spaniard the fourth man in the history of modern tennis not to defend his title at the All England Club.

Nadal was struck by tendinitis in both knees, a chronic injury that caused his sudden exit in the French Open fourth round last month, a tournament won by arch rival Roger Federer. According to the UK's Guardian, he is to undergo an exhibition match on Saturday, June 20, but coach and uncle, Toni Nadal, said that he expects the worst.

"At the moment it's very difficult to play at Wimbledon. His knees are not good and he cannot bend," he said. "This is his first match, we wait."

Meanwhile Nadal has spoken of the match on June 20 as "the real test".

"I will come back and play again and then make my decision about playing at Wimbledon or not," he said, as quoted by the BBC.

Comments

Anonymous cheryl rudon Thu, Jun 25 2009 22:08 CET
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how dare all these bad coments about rafa. I think he is the greatest and if he has to sit out wimbledon so be it get well soon rafa

Anonymous Faith Sat, Jun 20 2009 00:03 CET
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Rafa is not a man of excuses. I don't believe for a moment it has anything to do with his mental state - his attitude is to learn and work hard at improving. A loss would ultimately motivate him to try harder and new strategies. This he has proven over the last year. There is no doubt it is an injury and his attitude of no excuses is actually hurting him. He should have stopped earlier such that his knees wouldn't have reached this state. He cannot risk his health like this. It would be a huge loss to tennis to loose this competitor - he has the biggest and most beautiful heart I've ever seen anywhere. Vamos Rafa - get well and never risk your health again.

Anonymous Abby Fri, Jun 19 2009 18:55 CET
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No one should pretend to think that they know what is going on.
The fact is, that id doesn't matter if it Rafa's Mind, soul or body that needs rest.
If he is not ready to play, it is his business. He has to do what's good for himself, and his career.

Anonymous Flower Lady Fri, Jun 19 2009 17:45 CET
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Your ignorance of diagnosing Nadal's condition is humorous. If the doctors and specialists report that he has tendonitis in both knees and needs time in order to heal, then they should know. Don't kick a person when they are down.

Anonymous Bob Fri, Jun 19 2009 17:41 CET
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Nadal is not able to win Wimbledon this year. If he is smart he would not play and just rest.

Anonymous why Fri, Jun 19 2009 17:28 CET

This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained .

Anonymous why Fri, Jun 19 2009 17:28 CET

This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained .

Anonymous why Fri, Jun 19 2009 17:28 CET
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i think the "head" is more injured than the knees. Just shows how mentally tough it is to be no.1, with everyone gunning for you

Anonymous faecoleman Fri, Jun 19 2009 16:03 CET
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How dare you give doubt to a player of Nadals calibre! He is the last man to withdraw from Queens or Wimbledon unless there is something seriously wrong. You obviously no nothing of him, he has not been moving well enough since Miami, and after his tough match in Madrid this just about did it for him, @ the French he was well below his form, when you are injured you are afraid to move well thus restricting your movement and for sure this effects you mentally. This is pure ignorance and you are no real tennis fan to say such things!!! I hope Rafa recuperates and comes back the Rafa we love and know the man who has brought so much excitement to Tennis. Vamos Rafa!

Anonymous Hope Fri, Jun 19 2009 15:19 CET
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I am afraid I'm not buying this knee injury excuse. Nadal has been playing without knee straps for the last 6 weeks and he did NOT look injured in Paris. Why is he and his uncle suddenly claiming knee injury. If he claims tiredness or burn out, that I can accept but knee injury? Most certainly not. They should let us know what is really going on.

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