Rafael Nadal Out of Queens

5 months ago 08th Jun 11:31

World number one Rafael Nadal has been forced to pull out of the Aegon Championship at Queen's this week because of a knee injury.

The Spaniard has had a long-standing issue with tendentious in his knees, an injury that has hampered him all season, and he has chosen to rest before defending his Wimbledon title.

Nadal crashed out of the French Open before the beginning of the second week to finalist Robin Soderling, despite being four time defending champion and red hot favourite to defend his title.

But the twenty three year old has had a busy clay court season picking up title at the Monte Carlo and Rome Masters, Barcelona as well as reaching the Madrid Masters final two weeks before the French Open tournament began.

However Nadal didn't contribute his below par performance at the French Open to any injury worries.

Speaking to the BBC Nadal said: "I've been having problems in the past months with my knees, that's no secret. I need to recover and get ready for Wimbledon."

"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."

His agent went on to add that at this stage the world number was not a doubt for Wimbledon.

He won his first Wimbledon title last summer in a five set thriller against reigning champion Roger Federer, also going on to replace him at the top of the rankings.

British number one Andy Murray takes over as the top seed at the tournament and he will be joined by the likes of Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt.