Champ Nadal out of Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal has pulled out of Wimbledon because of his knee injury
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Friday, 19, Jun 2009 11:21
Defending champion Rafael Nadal has announced he will not be playing at Wimbledon this year after failing to recover from an ongoing knee injury.
The Spaniard made the decision after playing his second exhibition match of the week at the Hurlingham Club in London against Stanislas Warinkwa, which he lost 6-4 7-6, having been defeated by Lleyton Hewitt on Thursday at the same venue.
Nadal's withdrawal means Britain's Andy Murray now has a clear run to the final of the grand slam without having to play a higher seed, although under major tournament rules fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro moves into line one to replace Nadal so it does not create a lopsided draw.
In turn, number 17 seed James Blake moves into Del Potro's line of the draw, with Nicolas Kiefer taking the 33rd seed spot and Thiago Alves entering the main draw as a lucky loser.
"Not to play Wimbledon is one of the toughest decisions of my career," said the 23-year-old, who beat five-time champion Roger Federer in last year's final on Centre Court for his maiden All England Club title.
"It's not a chronic problem. I'm going to try very hard to come back and when I come back I'm going to come back at 100 per cent, mentallly."
Nadal admitted the tendonitis problem that is affecting his knees is praying on his mind and admitted one of the main reasons he had withdrawn was because he is "thinking more about the knee than the game".
"I'm 23 and I hope to have a long career and come back next year," he added.
"No one is more disappointed than I am so I hope the Wimbledon crowd understand I tried my best [to recover in time]."
Nadal's withdrawal means world number two Federer becomes the highest ranked player in the draw, although his preparations for the tournament have also been hampered by a lack of practice on grass.
He pulled out of the Halle competition he normally uses as a Wimbledon warm-up, citing emotional fatigue after claiming his first ever French Open title earlier this month.