Wimbledon - Venus: Fans will miss Nadal

Eurosport - Fri, 19 Jun 21:45:00 2009

Champion Rafael Nadal's withdrawal from Wimbledon has got everyone in tennis talking.

TENNIS 2009 Hurlingham Club Rafael Nadal - 0

Here's what a few of those involved in the game had to say:

Venus Williams, five-times champion who most recently won the title in 2008:

"All the fans will miss him. He will be back and hopefully he'll have a chance to win another one."

Pat Cash, champion in 1987:

"He's an incredible athlete. He can perform miracles we didn't think were possible for a human to do ... in Australia he played a five-set match in five hours then backed it up with another five-setter, that was incredible. I've never seen anything like that in my life."

Cedric Pioline, Wimbledon runner-up in 1997:

"I think it's a big loss. But I think the tournament is stronger than the players so it will be a nice tournament anyway, even if he's not there."

Mikael Pernfors, French Open runner-up in 1986:

"Of course he's important, he's part of one of the bigger rivalries in tennis. He's got to get healthy. He can't have a career based on a different game that what he's good at."

Henri Leconte, French Open runner-up in 1988:

"It's sad if he's not there, he's the winner. (But his knees) will get better again. He has played so much in the past few years (and) he had an extraordinary year last year."

Reuters

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  1. Get well soon Rafa...

    From hadjeseles, on Sun 21 Jun 2:28PM

  2. get well soon my brother,you are the GREATEST.

    From victor v, on Sat 20 Jun 3:39PM

  3. Get well soon Rafa we all miss you big time.Good luck.

    From AJ, on Sat 20 Jun 3:16PM

  4. It is just wise to get well and be able to compete­ because if you continue hurting yourself it is like­ greed for fame and money other than thinking about your­ healthy.
    Nadal is a young, talented guy so take all the­ time you need and do not think about proving what you­ can you do. You have already shown it so what rest­ rest even if it takes a year you will be back. All­ atheletes who hurt rest, the likes of Tiger Woods,­ Sarapova, Serena they rest and get better. Do not­ ruin your career by pushing so much it is not needed

    From imelda, on Sat 20 Jun 9:09AM

  5. REST SENSIBLY LIKE INTELLIGENT MARIA SHARAPOVA

    TO­ RECOVER FULL HEALTH & FITNESS

    From pitcrew66, on Sat 20 Jun 1:40AM
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