Nadal Withdraws From Wimbledon

By Mike McIntyre

Rafael Nadal announced at a press conference at the All England Club on Wednesday that he will not be defending his title at Wimbledon due to the tendinitis in both his knees.

Speaking about his decision Nadal said, "To not play Wimbledon is one of the toughest decisions of my career."

"I have some time now to recover and will work very hard to return as soon as possible."

“I think I reached the limit right now. I need to reset to come back stronger."

Asked about the longterm threat the injury posed, Nadal said, “It’s not chronic. I can recover for sure.” 

The Spaniard has been hobbled by the injury since losing in the fourth round of the French Open in May. He tested himself in exhibition play this week by playing against Lleyton Hewitt and Stanislas Wawrinka but lost both contests.

With his withdrawal, Roger Federer becomes the number one seed followed by Brit Andy Murray in the number two spot.

Where Does Nadal Go From Here?

From espn.com: Time for some Nadal perspective

Remember that brief but heady time last summer when sports fans were saying "Federer-Nadal?" Rafael Nadal (French Open) and Roger Federer (Wimbledon) had split back-to-back finals -- the only time that has happened in the Open era -- and seemed destined to become a twosome for the ages, like Borg and McEnroe or Pete and Andre. Tennis was back!

Six months later, no one is saying Federer-Nadal anymore. By winning his 10th (and third straight) Grand Slam, the Swiss god has left tennis beneath him. The comparisons are now with historic figures from other sports. These days, it's "Federer-Tiger," as in Woods. So where does that leave the Nadal half of our rivalry?

Nadal Says Injury is No Problem

From The Herald Sun: Nadal shrugs off injury scare

YOUNG Spanish ace Rafael Nadal is ready to give the Australian Open his best shot.

Nadal yesterday dispelled any fitness doubts after showing no discomfort during a final workout...

Nadal Retires from Match With Back Injury

I don't think this is the kind of preparation Rafael Nadal had in mind for the Australian Open.

From The Herald Sun: Open injury doubt again

WORLD No. 2 Rafael Nadal yesterday fell victim to an Australian Open injury curse that threatens to become an epidemic.

The French Open champion retired with a strained right thigh when trailing Australian giant-killer Chris Guccione, who the Spaniard described as having one of the best serves in the world.

Down 6-5 in the first set of his first-round Sydney International clash at Olympic Park, Nadal twice had treatment on court before withdrawing...

Nadal's Prospects in 2007?

So which Rafael Nadal will we see in 2007?  The one who defeated Roger Federer on hard courts?  Or the one who lost to Tomas Berdych and Mikhail Youzhny?

No shortage of contrasting opinions in this Tennis Week article: King Conquerer?  Can Nadal Outmuscle Federer in 2007?

How Rafael Nadal Spent His Off-Season

Here's another fun Rafael Nadal article.   He's such an unusual character - so tenacious and brimming with confidence on court and yet so normal off it.   I was expecting him to have developed a big head by now.

I suppose it comes from his never having left home.

From The Times: Nadal works on in quest for world domination

Rafael Nadal will visit both sets of grandparents on Christmas Day, much as he would most days when he is in Manacor, his Majorcan home from home, for the essence of the second-best tennis player in the world is that he acts like it only when he is on a court, and there he has never been content with second best. At home, and at rest, Nadal is a son and grandson to savour.

When it is put to Sebastián, his father, that it is not usual that his son has remained normal when so much is at stake — he has earned nearly $9 million (about £4.6 million) in prize-money alone — the look one gets is of incredulity. “What is normal is the way he is, no?” Nadal Sr says...

Federer Downs Nadal In Seoul Exhibition

Not a bad show...and now I'm beginning to wonder if Rafael Nadal will ever beat Roger Federer again:)

From Chosun: Federer, Nadal let rip in Seoul clash

It was a showdown of low, just-over-the-net strokes passed back and forth on a purple tinted court. At Tuesday¡¯s bout between reigning tennis king Roger Federer of Switzerland and young gun Rafael Nadal of Spain, the audience was treated to an exhibition of the world¡¯s greatest speed and power. The crowd was sending cheers the athlete¡¯s way every time they fired off one of their blazing 200 km/h-plus serves or broke out with the hard shots. In their final match of the season, they were not afraid to pull out all the stops.

The king kept his crown in the end. Federer put out his forehand attacks and serves to beat Nadal 2-1 (6-3, 3-6, 6-3). Shots aimed just a little off the line were particularly effective at goading Nadal into foul-ups...

Nadal Still Alive in Shanghai

And the ticketsellers breathe a sigh of relief...

From Eurosport: Nadal comes good with win

Rafael Nadal started tentatively against countryman Tommy Robredo in the Masters Cup Gold group but finished strongly to win 7-6 6-2 and reignite his semi-final hopes.

The Spaniards are good friends and seemed willing to give one another points early on, unforced errors making up a fair percentage of those gained...

Rafael Nadal Interview

Nothing new or terribly profound here, but don't you love how the BBC feels obliged to ask Rafael Nadal about Andy Murray?

From the BBC: Sportsround meets Rafael Nadal

When you're playing tennis you're travelling all over the world, that must be tiring?

Sometimes it is difficult. Every week you travel to a different place, a different city. For example I have to fly to Chennai in India for a tournament on 28 December.

That is difficult sometimes, but I enjoy it and I have some very good friends on the tour and that's very important.

Talking of friends, how do you get on with world number one Roger Federer?

My English is not the best, but I have good relations with him. I wouldn't say we are friends as he is from Switzerland and I am from Spain, but we get on okay.

My friends on the tour speak Spanish, like Argentines or Spanish players.

WOW. YOUZHNY DEF NADAL 6-1 in the 4th!

Mikhail Youzhny played out of his f-ing mind and broke Rafa's spirit. Incredible. Extremely well played.