AFP/Bertrand Guayview photoLONDON (AFP) - Defending champion Rafael Nadal has been forced to withdraw from next week's Wimbledon warm-up tournament at Queen's after being told by doctors he needs to rest his knees.
"I am very disappointed to not be able to come this year to Queen?s, defend the title I won last year and enjoy playing there in front of the very knowledgeable British crowds," the Spaniard said in a statement issued by the tournament organisers.
Nadal, who is recovering from the shock of a first ever defeat at the French Open, added: "I have been having some problems in the past months with my knees, that's no secret, that did not allow me to compete always at 100 percent.
"I need to work with my team to recover well, work on my physical condition to be at my top form and get ready for the grass to play at Wimbledon. I hope I can be ready to compete by then. I am really sorry and I hope that the people at the tournament will still want me to come next year."
Nadal's victory at Queen's last year proved to be the perfect platform for an assault on the Wimbledon crown with the Spaniard overcoming Roger Federer in a classic final.
The world number one's four-year reign at Roland Garros came to a shock end on Sunday when he was beaten in the fourth round by Sweden's Robin Soderling.
He refused to offer any excuses at the time but, in light of the decision to skip Queen's, it now seems possible that he may not have been 100 percent physically.
Marcos Baghdatis, the 2006 Australian Open runner-up, has meanwhile been given a wildcard to play at Queen's following the withdrawal of Kei Nishikori with an elbow injury.
Baghdatis, who reached the last four at Wimbledon three years ago, will be among the favourites in a line-up that includes world number three Andy Murray, former winners Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt and giant Russian Marat Safin.
Comment 1 - 4 of 4
You people are really strange-Nadal has already won a GS this year and the fact that he lost doesn't mean he has mentally collapsed or that he isn't No.1.Did you expect him to win it 10 times in a row?All series and records come to an end.Everyone knows that Rafa has been struggling with his knees.Only thing that worries me about him are these injuries-I am afraid that his career won't last very long-I can't see him still playing at 30.
just take care rafa for the next big event dont care what people say everybody as a bad day like what you said someday you going to lost at rg.is just bad that it happen at this time you are a very stong person do take care
I wondered how Nadal would play at Queens as I considered he should be depressed after such a shock defeat (remember Federer's state after Wibledon loss last year). The fact that he is not going to compete at Queens is great. I am sure the problem is mental but not physical. He just feels he is not able to fight after such a terrible fiasco. It has opened a brilliant opportunity for others. I hope that Djokovic will take it; if not the second one is Murray. Andy, go ahead, British people have been waiting so much for their winner!
Has Nadal's bubble burst?
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