Rafael Nadal To Play In Exhibition To Test Knee

5 months ago 16th Jun 11:07

Rafael Nadal is planning to play an exhibition match at the end of the week to assess his knee injury.

After his shock fourth round exit at the French Open last month the world number one travelled to Barcelona to have test on his injured knee, something which has troubled him all season.

He was diagnosed with tendonitis in both quadricep tendons as well as some fluid on the kneecap. In a bid to be fit to defend his Wimbledon title he pulled out of the competition at Queens, where he was defending champion, last week.

The twenty two year old has said that he recovery was ‘going well’ and plans to play at the Hurlingham Club event at the end of the week to test his knee before making a final decision on whether to appear at SW19.

Nadal will the first match on Centre Court on Monday 22nd June should he decide his is fit enough to attempt the defence of the title.

Last week he released a statement saying: "I will give 200% to be at 100% for the most important date in world tennis.

"I will not go out and play on any court, let alone Centre Court at Wimbledon, if I am not 100%. I have two difficult weeks ahead of me, especially because I won't be doing what I like doing most, which is to play tennis.

After two failed attempts in 2006 and 2007 the Spaniard finally got his hands on the Wimbledon trophy beating rival Roger Federer in an epic five set thriller.

Since his triumph on Centre Court twelve months ago Nadal has gone on to claim the world number one spot as well as an Olympic gold medal and Australian Open title.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw