http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/19062009/58/wimbledon-nadal-pulls-wimbledon.html


Champion Rafael Nadal has pulled out of Wimbledon after losing his battle to recover from a knee injury.

Unfortunately this year I won't be able to play at Wimbledon," he said.

The Spaniard, who has been struggling with tendinitis in his knees since being knocked out of the French Open last month, tested his fitness in two exhibition matches this week.

After losing both matches he decided not to defend his Wimbledon title, just three days before the start of the major.

Nadal will be the first man not to defend his All England Club crown since Croatia's Goran Ivanisevic skipped the grasscourt Grand Slam in 2002.

"Not to play Wimbledon is one of the toughest decisions in my career but the decision was made easier because I don't feel ready to compete at 100 percent," said Nadal, who becomes only the third man unable to defend his title at the championships.

"I don't feel like I'm ready to play in a tournament that is as important as Wimbledon.

"I tried everything, I tried hard in the last week to get in the best condition and today was my last test," added the world number one, who tried to play through the pain in an exhibition match against Stanislas Wawrinka at the Hurlingham Club on Friday.

"I didn't feel terrible but I was not at my best."

gyde:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/19062009/58/wimbledon-nadal-pulls-wimbledon.html


Champion Rafael Nadal has pulled out of Wimbledon after losing his battle to recover from a knee injury.

Unfortunately this year I won't be able to play at Wimbledon," he said.

The Spaniard, who has been struggling with tendinitis in his knees since being knocked out of the French Open last month, tested his fitness in two exhibition matches this week.

After losing both matches he decided not to defend his Wimbledon title, just three days before the start of the major.

Nadal will be the first man not to defend his All England Club crown since Croatia's Goran Ivanisevic skipped the grasscourt Grand Slam in 2002.

"Not to play Wimbledon is one of the toughest decisions in my career but the decision was made easier because I don't feel ready to compete at 100 percent," said Nadal, who becomes only the third man unable to defend his title at the championships.

"I don't feel like I'm ready to play in a tournament that is as important as Wimbledon.

"I tried everything, I tried hard in the last week to get in the best condition and today was my last test," added the world number one, who tried to play through the pain in an exhibition match against Stanislas Wawrinka at the Hurlingham Club on Friday.

"I didn't feel terrible but I was not at my best."

This is BAD news. . . . . . Easy ride for Roger Federer.

great news for federer supporters lyk me, YEEPEE!!!

even with NADAL fit, FEDEX would have won

Nadal just had to excuse himself

Dr Kitaun:

even with NADAL fit, FEDEX would have won

Nadal just had to excuse himself

  hehe 
but seriously, it would have been better for tennis had Nadal been able to play. Maruchi, its good news for FedEx but Federer doesn't need any handouts       Rafa should come and face the music  .

Why is Nadal running away from FEDEX?

dayokanu:

Why is Nadal running away from FEDEX?

Nadal doesnt back out of challenges,the guy is a bull,bulls come at you full throttle,well,thats if they are not injured

Dr Kitaun:

even with NADAL fit, FEDEX would have won

Nadal just had to excuse himself

why are you hating on Nadal,he is proven over the years that he is capable of taking out federer on any surface,why should he find any excuse when he could do it many more times,he is done it 11times already

MrCrackles:

Wow, this is dodgy
I saw this dude practising with Murray on wednesday and he didnt look troubled!
Oh well!

U expect him to be whining in pain

maruchi:

great news for federer supporters lyk me, YEEPEE!!!

I am a federer fan too,but I just enjoy stiff competitions,i want to see federer at his best,his mental strenght coming to play,nadal has been able to push federer all the way,something anyone scarcely does before,now i just think wimbledon would be boring,except of cause Murray and Novak step up,I do pray for that seriosly,i want to see an interesting 2weeks of tennis

Can you guys stop mentioning Murray amongst contenders?

No one from the UK can ever win a Grand Slam in this age

They lack the talent except for Hooliganism

this news is a great relief for me. the guy always pose himself as a terror for my cool friend federer.

oya fed do ur thing. i stopped watching the game and loosing interest when this nadal will fearlessly beat my guy in my presence.

like i said, this is a good news. let him relaxe small.

"Can you guys stop mentioning Murray amongst contenders?

No one from the UK can ever win a Grand Slam in this age

They lack the talent except for Hooliganism"

, lol, i quite agree Scots are hooligans buh i see Murray as Federer's only competitor, Point of order here, a Brit(Fred Perry) has won the Wimbledon wayback,so there is no ruling out Murray, Right now,Djokovic is out and Murray's been improving match after match, Sincerely, i'm looking up to a Murray-Federer final at Wimbledon, i don't know 'bout u,

You mention Fred Perry? which year was that? Definitely not in the last 50 years